Controversial Hong Kong national security law comes into effect

Critics say broad scope of crimes targeted by law marks full takeover by China

Beijing has imposed a controversial national security law on Hong Kong, giving the Chinese government sweeping powers over the semi-autonomous territory in a move critics say will crush its freedoms.

Late on Tuesday, China unveiled the full text of the anti-sedition law, which targets the crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with penalties as severe as life in prison.