Since it was first enacted earlier this year, Beijing’s controversial national security law has impacted politicians, activists, journalists and everyday life in Hong Kong. The law seems to be intentionally opaque, giving the security forces the power to arrest people for a host of ill-defined breaches. Combined with pandemic laws against gatherings, they form a formidable tightening on the city’s freedoms.
Can you navigate your way through Hong Kong’s national security law?
We’ll start off very simply. When was Hong Kong’s new national law enacted?
30 April 2020
30 May 2020
30 June 2020 Yes, its implementation came less than 40 days after Beijing stunned residents and the international community with a plan to impose the law, bypassing the city’s own legislature.
30 July 2020
This one is trickier. When was the law first published in full?
A month before it was enacted
A week before it was enacted
Two days before it was enacted
After it was enacted Yes. China unveiled the full text of the law just after it went into effect at 11pm on a Tuesday night. You could immediately fall foul of it without having had any opportunity to read it.
Which one of these items could you be arrested for holding in public?
A banner that says ‘Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times’
A blank piece of paper
A sign reading ‘No to’ Hong Kong Independence
All of the above Following the enactment of the law, the Hong Kong government said the ‘Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times’ slogan had connotations of support for Hong Kong independence, which amounts to secessionism. Demonstrators who have held up blank placards at protests against the government and the law have previously been arrested. One of the earliest arrests under the law was of a man holding a flag that said ‘Hong Kong independence’. Photos surfaced later showing that the flag actually had the words ‘no to’ written above the slogan.
Which of these slogans or songs are banned?
Hong Kongers, build a nation
Hong Kong Independence, the only way
Glory to Hong Kong
All of the above ‘Hong Kongers, build a nation’ is interpreted as supporting Hong Kong independence, which is deemed secessionism and targeted under the law. The same is true of ‘Hong Kong Independence, the only way’. Tthe government has not clarified whether the singing or broadcasting of the song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ would constitute a violation of the national security law, however it has been banned in schools.
In which of these scenarios can Beijing exercise jurisdiction over national security cases?
Those involving “complex situations of foreign interference by extraterritorial forces”
“Serious circumstances” where the Hong Kong government cannot effectively enforce the law
Situations where China faces “grave and real” threats
All of the above Yes. The law is implemented by Hong Kong police and courts, but China has specified these circumstances where it can step in.
Hong Kong police have been granted new powers under the national security law. What are they?
The ability to search one’s home, car, electronic device or other premises without a warrant
Demand platforms to take down online content deemed “an offence endangering national security” or order service providers to hand over the identification of users
Ban people from leaving Hong Kong
Conduct covert surveillance, including intercepting communications, of suspects
All of the above Hong Kong police have been granted sweeping new powers under the new law. Under “exceptional circumstances” police can enter and search premises without a warrant as well as restrict people under investigation from leaving Hong Kong. With permission from the chief executive, police can also intercept communications and conduct covert surveillance.
You are an opposition politician in Hong Kong. What could get you in trouble under the national security law?
Running for office
Campaigning against the government
Holding primaries
All of the above Opposition politicians, including incumbent legislators, have been disqualified from running in the election for opposition to the national security law. Carrie Lam warned opposition parties that campaign promises to block the government’s budget “may fall into the category of subverting the state power». In July the Chinese government declared informal primaries held by opposition parties to be illegal. it’s a moot point though. Hong Kong’s government postponed September’s elections for 12 months, citing Covid-19, drawing accusations it was using the pandemic as a cover to crush opposition.
A newspaper runs an ad by a pro-democracy groups or pro-democracy activists. Under the new national security law, how long do police have to investigate?
Seven days
One month
One year
They can investigate retroactively, even if it was a year ago On the same day police raided Apple Daily, the Japanese outlet Nikkei was also searched, reportedly on the basis that the paper had last year run an ad from the Demosisto party founded by pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Nathan Law. While the law is not drafted to be retroactive lawyers representing some who have been arrested say that police have cited evidence, including social media posts, from before the law was passed.
Activists crowdfund a campaign for international aid and call on foreign countries to pressure China. Are they breaking the law?
No
Probably, as far as the police are concerned Several activists including Jimmy Lai, Agnes Chow and Andy Li have been arrested on suspicion of ‘foreign collusion’, another broad charge targeted by the national security law. After arresting Lai, Chow and Li, the police said suspects had been involved in a group calling for sanctions and others helped a channel money in through an overseas bank.
You are doing this quiz on the Guardian website or app. While you are doing it, does the Hong Kong national security law apply to you?
Yes Based on the way the law is written, it applies to anyone at any time — regardless of if they are a Hong Kong resident or not, and whether or not they are in Hong Kong.
No
Be honest. How many times in this quiz did you answer ‘All of the above’?
Not many, because the law is very clear and has very strict definitions that have been applied in a limited way
A lot, because the law is incredibly wide-ranging and vague, allowing authorities huge leeway to apply it in any fashion they see fit You can see what we are getting here.
You got…
There’s no prizes, but we hope it was an interesting way to learn about Hong Kong’s national security law
There’s no prizes, but we hope it was an interesting way to learn about Hong Kong’s national security law
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Thank you for doing our quiz. There are no prizes. We hope it was an interesting way for you to find out more about the broad and sweeping way in which the authorities have been using the national security law to clampdown on freedom in Hong Kong.
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If you believe there is an error in one of the questions or answers, please contact martin.belam@theguardian.com
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