National Security Legislation for Hong Kong: SCMP

China is moving on a national security resolution for Hong Kong, relying on the National People’s Congress rather than waiting for the territory’s Legislative Council to shape its own rules. The resolution would “ban all seditious activities aimed at toppling the central government and external interference in Hong Kong’s affairs” and “target terrorist acts in Hong Kong,” reports Gary Cheung for South China Morning Post. “The NPC is then expected to vote on the resolution at the end of the annual session, likely to be on May 28. The resolution will then be forwarded to the Standing Committee of the NPC to chart out the actual details of the legislation.” Hong Kong pulled back from approving national security legislation after protests in 2003 and worries about citizen rights. Bypassing the Legislative Council represents a step in reduced autonomy for Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s Legislative Council elections are set for September, and Hong Kong's opposition parties anticipate gains after success in November’s district council elections. Reuters reports that the United States is delaying a report “assessing whether Hong Kong was sufficiently autonomous to warrant the special economic treatment that has helped it remain a world financial center.”– YaleGlobal