Chinese law used to detain Canadians gives Beijing authorities vast national security power
The two Canadian citizens detained in China following the Vancouver arrest of a top Chinese technology company executive are being held under an "all-encompassing" law with a broad definition of national security violations.
A law with a lot of leeway.
The National Security Law of the People's Republic of China is the country's most comprehensive piece of national security legislation to date.
Beijing made headlines in 2015 when its legislature, the National People's Congress, passed the controversial bill by 154 votes to none with one abstention. It was signed into law that day by President Xi Jinping.
The scope of the law is vast, giving Beijing power to order national security reviews on a wide range of topics: political, military, economic, financial, cultural, technological, nuclear, environmental and religious, among others.
And here is the kicker.
The law also underscores the Communist Party's stated belief that its reach should extend far beyond the physical borders of China. It declares both cyberspace and outer space to be part of China's national security sphere, along with the ocean depths and polar regions.
Beijing made headlines in 2015 when its legislature, the National People's Congress, passed the controversial bill by 154 votes to none with one abstention. It was signed into law that day by President Xi Jinping.
The scope of the law is vast, giving Beijing power to order national security reviews on a wide range of topics: political, military, economic, financial, cultural, technological, nuclear, environmental and religious, among others.
And here is the kicker.
The law also underscores the Communist Party's stated belief that its reach should extend far beyond the physical borders of China. It declares both cyberspace and outer space to be part of China's national security sphere, along with the ocean depths and polar regions.
"The new law covers almost every aspect of public life in China," it reported. "An all-encompassing national security law thus can provide a broad toolkit for the country to ensure stability and henceforth development."
Article 59 allows China to conduct a national security examination on "affairs and activities" that "influence or may influence" national security.
On the face of it, that appears to allow Chinese authorities to conclude that anything an individual does could be the trigger for a national security probe.
On the face of it, that appears to allow Chinese authorities to conclude that anything an individual does could be the trigger for a national security probe.
So, if one is to accept this expansion of Chinese law, any 400 pounder, sitting in his jammies, in his mother’s basement, typing away at his computer and, heaven forbids, types anything critical of China, he could, should he ever plant a heavy toe on Chinese soil, be arrested for being a danger to China’s national security.
Even Donald Trump with his tariff policy could be arrested.
Lawd! what a Kool-Aid drunkard like Nitro to make of such Chinese national security power and reach?
