Iran Press/Asia: The National People's Congress (NPC) voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal to draft the law, with 2,878 in favor, one against, and six people abstained.
The vote approves the standing committee to draft legislation to punish secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and acts that endanger national security in Hong Kong, as Reuters reported.
The legislation, aimed at stamping out protests that have racked the city for the past year, would ban “any acts or activities” that endanger China’s national security, including separatism, subversion and terrorism, charges are often used in mainland China to silence dissidents and other political opponents.
The legislation would also allow “national security agencies”, potentially Chinese security forces, to operate in the city.
The decision was widely expected to be passed by China’s parliament, which meets once a year to pass already approved measures. A detailed law will be drafted and could be enacted within the next few months.
The move has prompted condemnation and anxiety inside and outside Hong Kong over Beijing’s plans for the city, where residents have chafed under China’s tightening hold for years.
“It is definitely the start of a new but sad chapter for Hong Kong,” said pro-democracy legislator Claudia Mo. “Hong Kong as we knew it is finally dead.”
Hong Kong has been governed under a “one-country, two-system” model since the city -a former British colony- was returned to China in 1997.
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