Overview

• The Hong Kong government has gazetted new subsidiary legislation under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, effective immediately via a negative vetting process.
• The rules require civil servants and government departments to provide full assistance and support to Beijing's Office for Safeguarding National Security.
• Premises used by Beijing’s security office have been officially designated as prohibited places to enhance security measures.
• Unauthorized disclosure of information related to investigations by Beijing’s security office is now punishable by fines up to HK$500,000 and up to seven years in prison.
• Officials cited escalating US–China tensions and national security risks as key drivers for the legislation, introduced one year after enacting Hong Kong’s domestic security law.