China's National Security Law Enacted in Hong Kong, Overriding 'One Country, Two Systems'

By GH Newsroom
Death of Hong Kong
Death of Hong Kong

China's President Xi Jinping has signed into law a controversial national security legislation for Hong Kong on Monday, according to Xinhua News Agency. The law was passed without consultation and oversight by Hong Kong's Legislative Council, overriding the principle of 'one country, two systems' in the Basic Law.

The Hong Kong Bar association said in a statement on Monday that "no one in the HKSAR has yet seen a draft of the NSL (National Security Law) is genuinely extraordinary."

According to the 'one country, two systems' principle in the Basic Law, which supposed to be the constitution guiding the governance of Hong Kong as a semi-autonomous region, Hong Kong has a two-tiered semi-representative system of government: the law-making Legislative Council and district councils, as well as an independent judiciary. The Basic Law protects rights such as freedom of assembly and freedom of speech - neither of which exist in mainland China. The Basic Law is valid for 50 years.

Published on Xinhua News Agency today, Chapter 2, Article 9 of the National Security Law reads, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall strengthen the work of safeguarding national security and preventing terrorist activities. The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall take necessary measures to strengthen publicity, guidance, supervision and management of matters involving national security in schools, social organizations, media, and social networks."

"Beijing's so-called 'national security' law - passed on the eve of the 23rd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China - signals the death of the 'one country, two systems' principle," said Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, in a statement Tuesday.

"The purpose of this brutal, sweeping law is to frighten, intimidate and suppress Hong Kongers who are peacefully demanding the freedoms that were promised. All freedom-loving people must come together to condemn this law, which accelerates Beijing's years-long assault on Hong Kong's political and economic freedoms," she added.

The U.S.-based Christian persecution watchdog International Christian Concern warned in advance of the passage of the law that it might be used to target pro-democracy clergy, as well.

"Under such laws, vocal Hong Kong clergy who have been supportive of Hong Kong's democracy movement, such as Cardinal Joseph Zen and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, could be extradited to mainland China to be tried, since Beijing considers them to be threats to the regime," stated ICC last week.

"Other hundreds of protestant leaders or Christian organizations who have actively spoken out against the Hong Kong government might face the same fate, since Beijing has said it considers the mass protests that began last June as terrorist acts and any calls for Hong Kong's independence from China as acts of sedition."

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories