'A new authoritarian era' Article 23 is latest blow to Hong Kong's former global status

Hong Kong was once Asia's world city, a global financial hub and business gateway to China. But the passage of new national security laws is the latest sign the door is closing.

- Helen Davidson

On Tuesday, article 23 was unanimously passed by Hong Kong's unicameral, opposition-free parliament. The law covers newly defined acts of treason, espionage, theft of state secrets, sedition and foreign interference.

Numerous foreign governments and rights groups had urged the government not to implement it. Critics said it was ushering in a "new era of authoritarianism", and would scare off the international business and investment that Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, is trying to draw back.

Many of the listed crimes were already covered by the national security law (NSL) imposed by Beijing in 2020, but the new law contains additional targets on foreign entities and Hongkongers who interact with them. Lee said it was "needed to guard against people who invade our home".

Thomas Kellogg, a law professor at Georgetown University in Washington, told Bloomberg last month that the provisions could limit the activity of chambers of commerce and economic research groups. "The free flow of information is the lifeblood of any vibrant market economy," he said.

Some business groups had expressed concern about broad definitions in the new law, particularly around state secrets and espionage.