Speeding Up Formation of Hong Kong Security Law Agencies... Hardliner Appointed as Head of National Security Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] The Chinese government is accelerating the establishment and staffing of institutions related to the Hong Kong National Security Law by appointing hardliner Zheng Yanxiong (鄭雁雄) as the head of the Hong Kong National Security Office (Hong Kong Guojia Anbao Suhuo Gongshu).

According to Chinese media on the 3rd, Zheng Yanxiong recently served as the Secretary of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party. In 2011, while serving as the Party Secretary of Shanwei City, Guangdong Province, he sparked controversy by harshly suppressing protesters from Wukan Village demanding compensation for land requisition.

The Hong Kong National Security Office, directly established by the Chinese government in Hong Kong, exercises investigative authority over major security-related matters under the Hong Kong National Security Law.

In addition, the National Security Committee under the Hong Kong government, formed according to the Hong Kong National Security Law, was officially established on the same day. Chaired by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, this committee is responsible for formulating national security-related policies, establishing legal systems, and building enforcement mechanisms.

The central government dispatches a "National Security Affairs Advisor" to this committee to provide advisory involvement. Luo Huining, Director of the Central Government Liaison Office in Hong Kong and a senior Chinese official on Hong Kong affairs, was appointed as the advisor.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam also appointed Lau Tsz-wai as the Deputy Director of the National Security Department of the Police Force, responsible for related duties within the Security Bureau (equivalent to the police department).

Furthermore, within the Department of Justice, a division dedicated to detecting and prosecuting national security-related crimes was officially established, and judges responsible for cases under the Hong Kong National Security Law were appointed.