HONG KONG: China opened a new office on Wednesday for its intelligence agents to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time under a tough new security law, in a public display of its tightening control over the finance hub. The law is the most radical change in Hong Kong’s freedoms and autonomy since Britain handed the city back to China in 1997. Speartip of security apparatusThe content of the security law was kept secret until it was enacted last Tuesday, bypassing Hong Kong’s legislature. But China argues national security is the responsibility of the central government and says the laws are needed to restore stability. The new rules also empower Hong Kong police to order internet takedown notices if posts and comments are deemed to breach national security.

Source: Manila Times July 08, 2020 03:00 UTC