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controversial China proposes controversial Hong Kong security law
China is proposing to introduce a new security law in Hong Kong that could ban sedition, secession and treason.
The move is likely to provoke strong opposition internationally and in Hong Kong, which last year saw months of pro-democracy protests.
China’s delayed National People’s Congress, its legislature, will debate the issue when it opens on Friday.
Hong Kong’s mini-constitution requires it to bring in such a law but it failed to do so amid widespread opposition.
The so-called Basic Law was introduced when the UK handed back Hong Kong’s sovereignty to China in 1997 and provides certain freedoms not available on the mainland.
The Hong Kong dollar dropped sharply yesterday in anticipation of the announcement.
The issue has been introduced on the NPC agenda, under the title of Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanism of Hong Kong. The opening of the NPC had been delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
A spokesman for the NPC said yesterday that China was planning to improve on the “one country, two systems” policy that Hong Kong has observed.
Zhang Yesui said: “National security is the bedrock underpinning the stability of the country. Safeguarding national security serves the fundamental interest of all Chinese, our Hong Kong compatriots included.”
Beijing has always had the power to enact the national security law into Hong Kong’s Basic Law but has so far refrained from doing so.
But Hong Kong is heading for elections to its own legislature in September and if last year’s success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated, government bills could be blocked.
A mainland source told the South China Morning Post that Beijing had decided Hong Kong would not be able to pass its own security law and the NPC would have to take the responsibility.
Hong Kong’s government had tried to enact the so-called “sedition law” in 2003 but more than 500,000 people took to the streets and it was dropped.
China has the option to impose it into Annex III of the Basic Law, which covers national laws that must be observed in Hong Kong.
It is almost certain to do so, both in Hong Kong and abroad. -BBC
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Enoch Boateng to host spirit-filled worship experience
All roads lead to the Word Arena Chapel International, as Enoch Boateng Ministries lead worshippers to the throne room tomorrow at Dansoman in Accra.
Dubbed ‘Let Judah Rise,’ it aims to uplift the spirit of attendees, ignite faith and create an atmosphere of deep worship.
In an interview with The Spectator Agoro, the UK-based artiste who doubles as a pastor said the first edition which was held in Oda in the Eastern Region was super and promises attendees that this year’s edition would be mind-blowing and full of miracles.
He stated that special guests ministering in songs include Joshua Ahenkorah, the soulful Efe Grace, and Benny Brooks.
Pastor Enoch Boateng has since extended invitation to everyone to come and experience God’s presence in a unique way.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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Fusing politics with fashion
Ghanaians, especially die-hard sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) trooped to the Black Stars Square to be part of history.
The occasion was the historical return of Mr John Dramani Mahama as president of Ghana and Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as vice president.
President Mahama was coming to the office of the president for the second time while Prof. Opoku- Agyemang was sworn-in as the first female Vice President.
The party sympathisers marked the occasion in style, appearing in fashionable dresses designed with party paraphernalia.
To make the electoral feat remarkable, they appeared in special shirts, jerseys, cloths in party colours, not leaving out the vuvuzelas.
Boldly inscribed in these attires were symbols of the NDC and Ghana.
The event also brought to the fore the typical Ghanaian hospitality, entertaining a couple of guests that came to witness the event
By Victor A. Buxton
