Latest news with #OfficeForSafeguardingNationalSecurity


South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Probe under way on whether Beijing will take over collusion case: Hong Kong's Chris Tang
Beijing's national security arm in Hong Kong conducted its first publicly known joint operation with the city's police to determine whether a suspected collusion case is complex to the extent that it requires mainland China to take over, the security minister has revealed. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Saturday that no arrests had been made so far, adding it would require the central government's approval if the case were to be handed over. His remarks were made after the government announced on Thursday night the joint operation between local police and Beijing's Office for Safeguarding National Security, with observers predicting that it could be the first step in an investigation into an unusually complex collusion situation that was ultimately handed over to mainland authorities. 'The office will need to ascertain whether there were any situations specified under Article 55 [of the national security law] … we need to understand and investigate whether these had happened,' Tang said during a radio programme. Secretary for Security Chris Tang has said that no arrests have been made so far. Photo: May Tse Under the article, the office shall exercise jurisdiction over cases deemed complex due to the involvement of a foreign country or external elements, making it difficult for Hong Kong to proceed.


NHK
8 hours ago
- Politics
- NHK
Hong Kong reveals first probe by China's national security authorities
Hong Kong has disclosed what is the first publicly known investigation by China's national security arm in the territory. Hong Kong's government said on Thursday that China's Office for Safeguarding National Security conducted a joint operation with local police. It said six individuals and one organization were targeted for allegedly colluding with external forces between 2020 and June last year. They are suspected of violating Hong Kong's National Security Law, introduced five years ago. Based on the law, the Chinese office can supervise and give instructions to Hong Kong's government. It can also investigate what are described as complex cases involving foreign elements, and file charges with courts in mainland China.


South China Morning Post
16 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Beijing-Hong Kong operation may be first step in ‘complex national security case'
A joint operation by Beijing's national security arm in Hong Kong and the city's police could be the first step in an investigation into an unusually complex collusion case that is ultimately handed over to mainland Chinese authorities, observers have said. Advertisement The investigation is the first publicly known cooperation between the two sides and comes just weeks after the city passed legislation supplementing the domestic national security law aimed at allowing the Beijing office to better carry out its duties. The force cited the new law in 'reminders' it sent to the Post and other media outlets on Friday saying that disclosing any information related to individuals or organisations linked to the investigation could be an offence. The government announced on Thursday that six people and an organisation were suspected of colluding with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security between November 2020 and June 2024. The statement said Beijing's Office for Safeguarding National Security, with its director's approval, had requested assistance and support from the city's national security police in arranging interviews with the people involved. Advertisement But it provided no other details, such as personal information about the individuals or the nature of the organisations involved, the date of the interviews and whether any arrests had been made.


Bloomberg
a day ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
China's Security Office Flexes New Power With Hong Kong Probe
Beijing's national security office in Hong Kong carried out its first known joint operation with city officials, marking an expansion of China's direct law enforcement in the financial hub. Local authorities on Thursday night announced they were investigating a case of alleged foreign collusion with China's Office for Safeguarding National Security. The office interviewed six people after requesting the support of Hong Kong police using new powers granted last month, according to a statement.


South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Beijing national security authorities carry out operation with police in Hong Kong
Beijing's national security authorities in Hong Kong launched a joint operation with local counterparts on Thursday over a case of suspected collusion with foreign forces. The investigation is believed to be the first publicly known joint operation by Beijing's national security arm in the city and the local police force. According to authorities, six people and an organisation were suspected of having committed the offence of 'collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security' under the Beijing-decreed national security law between November 2020 and June 2024. The Office for Safeguarding National Security had requested assistance and support from the city's national security police, in arranging interviews with the people involved in the case, the government said on Thursday. National security police also raided the residences of six people and the organisation's office in a commercial building in Kwai Chung. Seized exhibits included bank documents and devices, it added. More to follow ...