Chinese intelligence official to control Hong Kong securityReuters, HONG KONGChina’s appointment of a top intelligence official to run Hong Kong’s national security regime underscores its determination to tighten its grip on territory, diplomats and analysts said. Dong Jingwei (董經緯), 59, is the highest-level Chinese security official to be appointed to a senior role in Hong Kong since Beijing imposed the National Security Law on the territory in 2020. A taxi drives under the flags of China and Hong Kong outside a shopping mall in Hong Kong on July 5. Under the security law, China’s national security office has sweeping investigative and surveillance powers, and enjoys immunity from Hong Kong laws. “The appointment of such a powerful intelligence figure as Dong to take charge in Hong Kong is a bit of surprise,” one Asian envoy said.

Source: Taipei Times July 19, 2023 23:42 UTC