On 30 June 2020, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (NSL) came into operation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Broadly speaking, the NSL criminalizes four types of acts: (1) secession, (2) subversion, (3) terrorist activities, and (4) collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security.
The HKSAR Police Force has set up a designated department in-charge of offenses endangering national security (National Security Offences). Article 43 of the NSL empowers the Police Department to take specific measures when handling cases concerning National Security Offences. These measures are in addition to the ones currently available under Hong Kong law for investigating serious crimes.
Article 43 authorizes the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, in conjunction with the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR, to make relevant implementation rules for the purpose of applying the measures under Article 43.