Hong Kong’s new national security regulation to be used rarely, ministers say

Hong Kong security and justice officials stated that new legislation allowing certain criminal cases to be handled under national security procedures is expected to be used rarely. The Safeguarding National Security (Procedural Matters) Regulation, which empowers the chief executive to define offenses as endangering national security, was scrutinized by a Legislative Council subcommittee on Thursday. The chief executive typically issues certification before trial for cases to be handled under these procedures. This regulation aims to define specific offenses related to national security.