Rumors about national security law for HK debunked (2)

Some people from the US and other Western countries have recently made groundless accusations against and disseminated many fallacies about the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Here is one of the rumors they spread, and the fact.

Rumor: The legislation on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong may include vaguely defined offences, and be abused by China's national security authorities to oppress the people.

Fact:

- The legislation only targets four types of offences that seriously jeopardize national security, much less than the dozens of crimes involving national security listed in countries such as the US and the UK. The legislation sets clear limits on related law enforcement activities. It requires that all law enforcement efforts be conducted in strict accordance with legal provisions and statutory mandates and procedures, without prejudice to the lawful rights and interests of any individual or organization. It also provides that the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall perform its mandate in strict compliance with the law and be subject to supervision in accordance with the law. The staff of the Office shall abide by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as well as national laws.

- Countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia have all established rigorous legal frameworks for safeguarding national security, which shows no mercy in combating offences endangering national security.