Hong Kong National Security Law Enters 6th Year, CCTV Reports 394 Arrests

(CNA Taipei, June 30) Today marks the 6th anniversary of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. According to a report by China's state media CCTV News today, a total of 394 people have been arrested in Hong Kong on suspicion of endangering national security from the law's implementation to early April this year.

The former Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, pushed for the amendment of the "Fugitive Offenders Ordinance" in 2019, which triggered the anti-extradition bill movement, leading to highly tense relations and continuous conflict between the Hong Kong government and its citizens. However, the Hong Kong government and the Chinese government did not yield to the protesters; instead, they promoted the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, which has stifled Hong Kong's diversity and limited democracy. This has also led to the biggest turning point in Hong Kong's politics and society since its handover.

China's state media CCTV News reported today that from the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law to early April 2026, a total of 394 people were arrested in Hong Kong on suspicion of endangering national security, of whom 208 were prosecuted and 180 were convicted. The report specifically mentioned that some, including Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai, pleaded guilty and accepted their sentences.

The report claimed that under the guidance of the Hong Kong National Security Law, Hong Kong has continuously improved its legal system and framework for national security, with multiple laws complementing and reinforcing each other.

The report further stated that in March 2024, Hong Kong completed the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, and the "Safeguarding National Security Ordinance" was gazetted and implemented, detailing the definitions of offenses in the Hong Kong National Security Law and adding specific penalties for new crimes. In May 2025, two subsidiary regulations to ensure the effective performance of duties by the National Security Agency in Hong Kong were gazetted and took effect. In March 2026, amendments to the implementation rules of Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law came into effect. (Editor: Lu Jia-rong / Zhu Jian-ling) 1150630

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