Let’s be clear: national security law update is not a power grab

On March 23, Hong Kong’s government brought into force amended implementation rules for Article 43 of the National Security Law. This is not a new power grab or an expansion of authority. It is a technical, evidence-based refinement of the 2020 implementation rules that have governed national security enforcement since the law took effect.Rooted in common law principle and aligned with global legislative practice, the amendments clarify operational gaps, strengthen procedural certainty and reinforce Hong Kong’s transition from chaos to governance and prosperity, all while upholding judicial independence and the rule of law.Critics often overlook the fact that Article 43 and its implementation rules date back to 2020, not 2026. The National Security Law mandates clear, lawful procedures for searches, property freezing, evidence preservation, travel restrictions and access to digital evidence. Over nearly six years of implementation, the authorities have encountered practical ambiguities, most notably around the validity period of freezing notices and the handling of encrypted electronic devices.The 2026 update resolves these ambiguities; it does not create new powers. Official data underscores the law’s targeted effect: as of January, 98 people had been prosecuted and 78 convicted, with national security cases accounting for less than 0.2 per cent of Hong Kong’s total criminal caseload. This confirms that the regime targets only a tiny number of offenders while protecting the rights and freedoms of the majority.A key clarification concerns property freezing. The 2020 rules set a two-year cap with uncertain extension provisions during proceedings. The amended rules confirm a freezing notice remains in force until the conclusion of legal proceedings.This closes a loophole that could have allowed suspects to dispose of assets. Those affected retain full due process rights to apply to the Court of First Instance to vary or revoke such notices, consistent with common law safeguards for property and fairness.