Xinhua releases details of national security law

Xinhua news agency has unveiled today the details of the national security law tailor-made for Hong Kong following the three-day session of Beijing's top legislative body.
The state media spelt out the details of the legislation draft in six parts, including the include the Hong Kong government's roles in safeguarding the national security, criminal acts and penalty, the jurisdiction of cases, the legal application and prosecution procedures, the establishment of a national security agency in Hong Kong.
In the report, it revealed national security chaired by the SAR's Chief Executive and supervised by the central government would be set up to deal with matters related to the legislation. The committee will include top officials like the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary, Secretary for Justice, Secretary for Security and Police Commissioner.
It said a special unit will be established in the SAR's police force to enforce the relevant provisions, and its head will be joining the national security committee. The unit is entitled to deal with national security crimes adopting the existing protocols of the Hong Kong Police.
It stated the SAR government has the responsibility to safeguard the national security by various means, including requiring civil servants and election candidates to swear to uphold the Basic Law and swear allegiance to the SAR.
The law, which would be implemented by-passing the Legislative Council, also stipulates the government to strengthen the supervisions and management of schools and other organizations on matters related to national security.
The central government will establish an agency in tackling national security crimes in the SAR, the report mentioned. The agency would be monitoring, supervising and coordinating the SAR's work in enacting the legislation and safeguarding national security.
The report also made clear the four types of crimes that would endanger the national security - secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities and collusion with foreign and external forces.
Although the report did not set out penalties, it added the Chief Executive shall appoint judges to deal with national security court cases, from serving or former magistrates and judges from any court. The Department of Justice will also create a prosecution unit for national security crimes.
But freedom of Hong Kong citizens would be maintained under the new law, the report said.
It said the SAR would be preserving citizens' autonomy such as freedom of speech, press freedom and taking part in political activities like protests and rallies.