Safeguarding National Security Ordinance

This article is about the 2024 Hong Kong local law. For the 2020 national law of China, see 2020 Hong Kong national security law. For the 2003 withdrawn bill, see National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill 2003.

Safeguarding National Security Ordinance
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
  • An Ordinance to improve the law for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; and to provide for related matters.
CitationOrdinance No. 6 of 2024 (Instrument A305)
Territorial extentHong Kong
Worldwide (extra-territorial for some offences)
Passed19 March 2024
Signed byJohn Lee Ka-chiu
Signed22 March 2024
Effective23 March 2024
White paperPublic Consultation on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation
Legislative history
Introduced bySecretary for Security
Chris Tang
Introduced8 March 2024 (2024-03-08)
First reading8 March 2024 (2024-03-08)
Second reading19 March 2024 (2024-03-19)
Third reading19 March 2024 (2024-03-19)
Voting summary
  • 89 voted for
  • None voted against
Committee reportReport of the Bills Committee on Safeguarding National Security Bill
Summary
To comprehensively address the national security risks at present and those that may emerge in the future in Hong Kong and to fully implement the constitutional duties and obligations as stipulated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the 5.28 Decision and the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law
Status: In force
Safeguarding National Security Ordinance
Traditional Chinese維護國家安全條例
Simplified Chinese维护国家安全条例
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWéihù Guójiā Ānquán Tiáolì
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingwai4 wu6 gwok3 gaa1 on1 cyun4 tiu4 lai6

The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (Chinese: 維護國家安全條例)[1] is a local law of Hong Kong. It was introduced by the Government of Hong Kong on 8 March 2024, passed by the Legislative Council on 19 March 2024, and took effect on 23 March 2024. The ordinance is enacted to implement Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law.[2][3]

On national security grounds, the ordinance gives new powers to the government to investigate external interference, theft of state secrets, insurrection, and treason, with penalties up to life imprisonment for those found guilty of certain crimes specified by the law.[4] It is the second national security legislation implemented in the city. Foreign media and government expressed concern of the "sweeping" and "tough" clauses, which some considered to be more far-reaching than and go beyond the central government's one, that could further reduce the space for dissident views and erode autonomy of Hong Kong.

Instead of the usual six-month period, the authorities took 50 days from the launch of a public consultation to writing it into law, due to a sense of urgency underscored by Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. Critics said the bill was rushed through in a fast-track process without meaningful discussions.

  1. ^ "Address by CE to LegCo on passage of Safeguarding National Security Bill". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  2. ^ "As it happened: Hong Kong Article 23 bill readings advance in Legco, with lawmakers set for marathon meetings over weekend to push forward legislation". South China Morning Post. 8 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Public consultation on Basic Law Article 23 legislation commences". The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 30 January 2024. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference nyt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).