V OLUME 24 • I SSUE 5

Unprecedentedly, the Document affirms that the definition of “national security” in the 2015 national security law will be adopted in the new legislation—going beyond the definition in the 2020 NSL (Xinhua, July 10, 2015): “National security refers to the status in which the State’s political regime, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, the welfare of the people, sustainable economic and. [...] The proposed offences of the “theft of state secrets” and “espionage” in the Document (Chapter 5) are further evidence of the erosion of Hong Kong law. [...] In light of events in the past three years, the tensions between alleviating economic pressures and amplifying the need to safeguard national security will continue until the top authorities determine the course of the legislation, marking the future of Hong Kong’s autonomy and its role between China and the West. [...] The article noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the PRC and represents a “critical” year for the achievement of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021 to 2025). [...] For example, Xi told a Politburo study session that “Biosecurity concerns the health and lives of the people, the long-term stability and security of the country, and the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.