Tens of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets later today in protest against the legislation of Article 23. But just how much do you know about this controversial issue? Here Young Post will give you a brief lowdown on the essential facts and what the fuss is all about.
The government has two responsibilities: (1) to enact security laws to protect national security and (2) to comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as applied to Hong Kong.
Why do we need Basic Law Article 23?
'All countries need laws to protect their sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and national security,' says Solicitor-General Bob Allcock.
'While Hong Kong's existing laws cover many of the activities referred to in Article 23, some of them are outdated. The law of treason, for example, protects the queen. The law on sedition is too broad.
'The proposed bill will update and restrict the offences so that treason will relate only to external threats to the nation, secession will deal only with threats to split the country and subversion will deal with internal threats to the People's Republic of China government and constitution.'