Hong Kong Passes , New Security Law.<br />On March 19, lawmakers in Hong Kong unanimously passed Article 32.<br />The national security bill <br />"punishes treason, sabotage, sedition, <br />the theft of state secrets and espionage <br />with up to life imprisonment," Reuters reports. .<br />The legislation will go into effect on March 23.<br />John Lee, a political leader <br />in the country, referred to the new law <br />as a "historic moment for Hong Kong.".<br />However, critics say that the <br />new legislation could be utilized to <br />"eliminate dissent through the fear of arrest <br />and detention," restricting free speech and more.<br />However, critics say that the <br />new legislation could be utilized to <br />"eliminate dissent through the fear of arrest <br />and detention," restricting free speech and more.<br />On March 14, the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China wrote Secretary of State Antony Blinken to oppose the new laws.<br />The commission also urged the American government to "take additional steps to protect American citizens and businesses," Reuters reports. .<br />An ever-expanding notion of national <br />security will only make Hong Kong less safe <br />for U.S. businesses and citizens living in <br />Hong Kong as well as Hong Kongers seeking <br />to exercise their fundamental freedoms, The U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission <br />on China, via letter to Antony Blinken .<br />China's Foreign Ministry Commissioner's <br />office responded to the criticism. .<br />China's Foreign Ministry Commissioner's <br />office responded to the criticism. .<br />Immediately stop the political <br />manipulation and interference <br />in Hong Kong affairs, China's Foreign Ministry Commissioner's office, via statement
