China to set up national security office in Hong Kong

Under the new national security law for Hong Kong, Beijing will set up a national security office in the semi-autonomous city, which is out of the jurisdiction of the government of Hong Kong. The duties of the office will be to collect and analyze intelligence and deal with criminal cases related to national security, according to the new law.

"None of Hong Kong's judicial, administrative and legislative bodies should interfere when the staff of the office is performing their duties," said Zhang Xiaoming, executive deputy director of Hong Kong and Macao affairs office of China's cabinet.

Government critics fear Beijing will use the law to pursue political opponents. Some have questioned the legal basis for the legislation, saying it undermines the Basic Law. Questions linger over the effects on Hong Kong's free press that has come under increasing political and financial pressure, as well as the operations of nongovernmental organizations, particularly those with foreign connections.

"The special economic status of Hong Kong, particularly as an international financial center, has been formed in a long history," said Zhang. "It is not something that can be easily taken away at the will of someone."