Safeguarding National Security Ordinance

The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (Chinese: 維護國家安全條例) is a local law of Hong Kong. It was introduced by the Government of Hong Kong on 8 March 2024, passed by the Legislative Council on 19 March 2024, and took effect on 23 March 2024. The ordinance was enacted to implement Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law.

On national security grounds, the ordinance gives new powers to the government to investigate external interference, theft of state secrets, insurrection, and treason, with penalties up to life imprisonment for those found guilty of certain crimes specified by the law. It is the second national security legislation implemented in the city, the first being the central government-implemented Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Foreign media and governments expressed concern of the "sweeping" and "tough" clauses, which some considered to be more far-reaching than and go beyond the central government's one, that could further reduce the space for dissident views and erode autonomy of Hong Kong.

Instead of the usual six-month period, the authorities took 50 days from the launch of a public consultation to writing it into law, due to a sense of urgency underscored by Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. Critics said the bill was rushed through in a fast-track process without meaningful discussions.