Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


China's Plan to Take Charge of 'Serious' National Security Cases in Hong Kong
Sparks Concern

Verna Yu

   HONG KONG - China musttake charge of "serious" cases in Hong Kong that
   breach national security, a senior Chinese official said this weekas
   Beijing prepares to impose new national security laws in the city.
   Analysts and legal experts say Hong Kong's freedoms are under
   unprecedented threats after China's parliament, the National People's
   Congress, passed a plan in late May to impose sweeping national
   security laws on Hong Kong to prevent and punish what Beijing considers
   "acts and activities" that threaten national security, including
   advocacy of secession, subversion and terrorism and foreign
   interference.
   The plan, which bypassed Hong Kong's legislature, would also allow
   Chinese national security organs to set up agencies in the city. The
   laws are expected to be enacted within the next few months, with some
   reports suggesting it could take effect as soon as late June or July.
   China insists such laws are necessary to halt widespread
   anti-government protests in Hong Kong, which started off being peaceful
   in June last year but turned violent as frustrations mounted.

.