BEIJING (Reuters) – Beijing’s scheduled nationwide security legislation for Hong Kong is set to obstruct its foreign judges from managing national security trials, people knowledgeable about the matter stated, which would worsen issues about the city’s judicial independence.
FILE IMAGE: Judges take part in a ceremony to mark the start of the legal year in Hong Kong, China January 8,2018 REUTERS/Bobby Yip/File Photo
Having lost patience with Hong Kong’s failure to embrace national security legislation on its own, China announced on Thursday that it would directly enact laws to take on secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the city.
The legislation, which the sources said stays subject to change, would also see both main and local government security agencies established in Hong Kong, they stated.
The people familiar with the issue decreased to be recognized since they are not authorised to speak to the media.
The Hong Kong federal government has said the legislation would not impact its judicial independence.
The Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress might not immediately be grabbed remark. China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office did not immediately react to a request for remark.
Beijing’s push for the legislation follows months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong last year, fuelled by worries amongst numerous in the city of the disintegration by Beijing of its autonomy under a “one country, two systems” system set up when it was handed from British to Chinese rule in 1