Growing jitters in HK as passage of national security law looms

Support for protests ahead of the city's July 1 handover anniversary seems to be dwindling

Volunteers holding up ballot papers during counting in Hong Kong last Saturday following a vote on a plan by unions and a student group to consider what actions to take against the draft national security law. However, the measure flopped after the p
Volunteers holding up ballot papers during counting in Hong Kong last Saturday following a vote on a plan by unions and a student group to consider what actions to take against the draft national security law. However, the measure flopped after the poll failed to attract enough voters - a mere 9,000 votes were cast, far below the minimum number required. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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Support for protests ahead of the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China on July 1 appears to be dwindling amid growing jitters over a new national security law for the territory being pushed by the mainland.

The forthcoming legislation outlaws acts of secession, subversion, terrorism as well as "collusion with foreign and external forces to endanger national security".

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 24, 2020, with the headline Growing jitters in HK as passage of national security law looms. Subscribe