China tables draft Hong Kong security law in sign it intends to rush legislation

State media organisation Xinhua reports draft clarifying four major offences put before top lawmaking body

Beijing has tabled a draft of the Hong Kong national security laws before its top lawmaking body, indicating it intends to rush through the contentious legislation which promises to drastically increase Chinese control over the semi-autonomous region.

State media reported on Thursday the draft law was put before the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), charged with drafting the law, for a three-day session beginning Thursday. Typically bills should go through three readings by the NPC committee, which meets every two months, but officials said last month the laws would be implemented without delay". The committee could potentially pass the laws as early as this week.