Hong Kong’s domestic national security law has ‘overwhelming’ support among public, authorities say after consultation ends

Only 93 submissions, or 0.71 per cent, opposed the bill, authorities said, of which more than 10 were from “anti-China groups overseas” or “absconders”.

“We are encouraged by the proactive expression of support for the legislation work by various sectors, which demonstrates a strong ambience [of] support [for] the Basic Law Article 23 legislation in the society,” the spokesman said.

Hong Kong in January launched the 30-day consultation on the proposed Article 23 legislation, which requires the government to enact its own national security law.

The proposed legislation, which will sit alongside the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020, targets five new types of offences: treason, insurrection, theft of state secrets and espionage, sabotage and external interference.

Public backs prompt implementation of Hong Kong national security law: John Lee

While the proposal has secured the backing of the city’s legislature revamped under the “patriots-only” rule, several chambers of commerce and press groups issued submissions during the consultation expressing concerns over the law.

The European Chamber of Commerce said on Wednesday that some of its members had shared concerns in relation to what they considered vaguely defined concepts such as “state secrets” and “foreign interference”, calling for greater clarity from the government.

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Journalists Association also called on the government to consider the inclusion of a public interest defence clause in the legislation, and to ensure journalists would not be targeted for doing their jobs.