Hong Kong legislature to resume second reading of Article 23 bill on Tuesday morning, as government fast-tracks law

The legislature earlier waived a 12-day notice period to expedite the vetting process upon security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung’s request in a letter to the House Committee on Friday.

Why is Hong Kong going full speed with its Article 23 security legislation?

The bill, which will complement the national security law Beijing imposed on the city in 2020, targets five new offences: treason; insurrection; theft of state secrets and espionage; sabotage endangering national security; and external interference.

The legislation is required under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.

More to follow …