The Security Bureau said on Wednesday that a “Response and Rebuttal Team” set up to counter online attacks on the city’s home-grown national security legislation will be required to continue its operation, as 291 people have so far been arrested for national security offenses.
According to Legco documents, the bureau said 291 individuals – including 218 men and 73 women aged between 15 and 90 – were arrested by police on suspicion of engaging in acts and activities endangering national security since the implementation of the national security law.
Of these cases, over 170 persons and five companies were charged, of whom 112 persons have either been convicted or are awaiting sentencing.
Meanwhile, when asked about the estimated expenditure for the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, the bureau said it is part of the work in safeguarding national security and that relevant expenditure will not be disclosed.
The bureau also noted that misinformation and slander still occur from time to time regarding the national security legislation, to which there is a need for the continued operation of the “Response and Rebuttal Team”.
The team was set up earlier to counter online attacks and make sure clear explanations are given to business people, diplomats and international chambers of commerce.
Separately, the bureau said it has been drafting new legislation to tackle five types of cybercrime, with the legislation to define the cyber security obligations of critical infrastructure operators. The bureau intends to introduce the bill to the Legislative Council within 2024.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 