Public security law changes spark concern

Proposed changes to China's public security law to criminalize comments, clothing or symbols that "undermine the spirit" or "harm the feelings" of the country have triggered the concern of legal experts, who say the amendments could be used arbitrarily.

The changes were first made public last week as part of a mandatory "soliciting opinion" process, as concerns mount about the increasingly authoritarian and nationalistic rule of President Xi Jinping.

This week, some legal scholars and bloggers wrote editorials and social media posts calling for the removal of certain articles.

They also encouraged citizens to give feedback on the draft, and so far 39,000 have done so via the website of the National People's Congress.

"Who confirms the 'spirit of the Chinese nation' and according to what procedure? Who recognizes the 'feelings of the Chinese nation' and according to what procedures?" wrote Tong Zhiwei, a constitutional studies scholar at East China University of Political Science and Law, on Weibo.

"If the NPC standing committee adopts this article as it is now drafted, law enforcement and judicial work will inevitably lead to the practical consequences of arresting and convicting people according to the will of the chief, and there will be endless harm," Tong added.