- Title: Hong Kong lawmakers spar with government officials over new security law
- Date: 7th July 2020
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JULY 7, 2020) (REUTERS) HONG KONG'S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SESSION SIGN READING (English / Chinese) "THE LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON SAFEGUARDING NATIONAL SECURITY IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION"
- Embargoed: 21st July 2020 12:59
- Keywords: China Hong Kong Human rights Lawmakers Legislative Council National security law
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Fundamental Rights/Civil Liberties,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001CLT6PMV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong opposition lawmakers sparred verbally with senior government officials on Tuesday (July 7) over a sweeping new national security law in the city.
The legislation that Beijing imposed on the former British colony punishes what China defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with up to life in prison.
Hong Kong's secretaries for security and justice appeared in the territory's Legislative Council to answer questions on Tuesday.
Legislator Tanya Chan repeatedly asked if the law would supersede Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, a question that Hong Kong's justice secretary, Teresa Cheng, said "completely misunderstood" the 'One Country, Two Systems' arrangement that underpins the territory's legal system.
Opposition lawmakers also held up blank white papers, representing banned protests slogans.
The legislation has been criticised by nations such as Britain and the United States, and rights groups, for undermining freedoms guaranteed by the city's Basic Law, and for giving mainland security agencies an enforcement presence in Hong Kong for the first time.
(Production: Yoyo Chow, Aleksander Solum) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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