Legco passes Article 23 legislation
The Legislative Council on Tuesday passed national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law. At the end of an hours-long special session, lawmakers unanimously voted in favour of the Safeguarding National Security Bill after it went through its second and third readings. It outlaws treason, insurrection, theft of state secrets, espionage, sabotage and external interference, among other offences. According to the Basic Law, Hong Kong has the constitutional duty to enact Article 23 legislation. Lawmakers have voiced support for the draft legislation, saying it would help to safeguard the SAR's security and ensure a stable business environment. A public consultation by the government also showed more than 98 percent of the submissions backed the legislation. This was the SAR's second attempt to pass homegrown national security legislation, after 2003.