China's congress has begun deliberations on a bill that would constitute the main pillar of the legal framework governing Hong Kong's national security affairs. While the legislation has not passed yet, discussing Hong Kong's future without giving the territory's legislature a say is a highly regrettable act that puts the "one country, two systems" arrangement at risk. Beijing should rethink the measure after contemplating the true benefits brought by Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy.
The bill being deliberated by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress would pave the way for criminalizing secession and subversion of state power, and for Beijing to set up a dedicated central-government office managing national security affairs in the territory. The measure appears intended to crack down on the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, as well as put pressure on pro-democracy candidates ahead of September's legislative election.
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