Special Branch-like unit for new law

Executive Council member and lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said the police force may recruit retired officers to join a special unit for enforcing the national security law, as there is currently inadequate talent with relevant experience.

Ip expects the new unit to resemble the force's former Special Branch, which was shut down after the handover.

She made the comments after security secretary John Lee Ka-chiu said in an interview that the police will set up a new special unit and plan for it to be ready to carry out duties when the national security law is implemented in Hong Kong.

Lee said the unit will be led by police commissioner Chris Tang Ping-keung and be responsible for gathering intelligence, running investigations and training officers.

Preparations for establishing the unit have already begun, including the examination of the resources, manpower and supporting equipment needed, Lee said.

Its manpower would increase according to needs, with the government exploring the possibility of recruiting members from other discipline services, he said.

Two weeks ago, the National People's Congress approved plans to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong, which will allow national security organs to set up agencies in Hong Kong when needed.

Lee did not reveal how the new unit would work with the mainland agency in Hong Kong, but said mainland authorities would have "a helicopter view" with "a much wider network of intelligence gathering and also a much higher level of analysis."

Ip agreed that there should be a dedicated unit to enforce the national security law.

"Before the year-long social unrest, there were criticisms of the inadequacy of police gathering intelligence because they did not have the Special Branch, like in the past," she said.

She said intelligence gathering and analysis must improve after the new law is implemented.

Ip also recommended the creation of a security committee in the SAR after the new law is enacted, similar to the security committee led by colonial governors and that included members of the British military.

She added that such a committee could contact and exchange intelligence with the People's Liberation Army. Large-scale drills could also be held regularly to prepare for disasters and biochemical attacks.

Ip stressed that people involved in the committee would need to adopt an international perspective.

Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun said there could be many possibilities regarding the new unit's creation and doubted if members would be strictly from Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the NPC standing committee will meet in Beijing from next Thursday to Saturday, tasked with formulating the new law for Hong Kong.

The official agenda does not include the national security legislation, but the pro-establishment camp was told the standing committee will be handling the matter within the month.