Australia cautions citizens traveling to Hong Kong of new national security law

The Australian government updated its travel advisory for citizens traveling to Hong Kong on Friday, suggesting travelers exercise a high degree of caution in the city due to the enforcement of the new national security law set to come into effect on March 23.

The advisory states that Hong Kong has strict laws on national security that can be interpreted broadly, adding that travelers could break the law without intending to and be detained without charge as well as being denied access to a lawyer.

It noted that individuals could be detained without charge for up to 16 days and denied access to a lawyer for up to 48 hours.

The advisory also specifically mentions that the law could also be applied to activities that occur  outside Hong Kong, including social media posts. 

“You could break the law without intending to [and] may be at increased risk of detention. The maximum penalty under these laws in Hong Kong is life imprisonment.

“The Australian Government can't intervene in the Hong Kong judicial process.” The advisory read.