Xi Jinping signs National Security Law in Hong Kong

Chinese President Xi Jinping signed into law new national security legislation for Hong Kong on Tuesday after China's top lawmaking body unanimously passed the controversial bill. Details of the bill are expected to be released later in the day, Report says, citing Xinhua.

The NPC Standing Committee also adopted a decision to list the law in Annex III to the HKSAR Basic Law. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, also attended the meeting.

The new security laws will come into effect later on Tuesday, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said as she welcomed the passage of the legislation.

"The legislation is an important step to improve the 'one country, two systems' institutional system as well as restore stability in Hong Kong society as soon as possible."

The legislation provides criminal penalties for separatism, subversion, terrorism, and conspiracy in support of foreign interference. It follows a year of unrest in Hong Kong, which sometimes descended into violent clashes between police and protesters. Beijing has long accused external forces of inciting the demonstrations.