‘Totally different’ political climate paves way for smooth passage of Hong Kong’s domestic national security law compared to earlier attempt

Resistance to Hong Kong’s domestic national security legislation by half a million people more than two decades ago has stayed in the collective memory of many as a symbol of a will to fight for civil liberties and human rights.

Yet on Tuesday, the city’s legislature sailed the bill through unanimously with all votes aligned behind the new law, a stark contrast from 2003.

Back then, in response to the massive protest, the city’s first post-handover leader, Tung Chee-hwa, withdrew the legislation.

Three other chief executives after him steered clear of the thorny topic.

But analysts said there was also an unspoken understanding from Beijing that it would be patient and wait for the right time to reintroduce the law.