AFP: No need for Hong Kong subversion law: Bar Association

The association said in a report that existing Hong Kong laws were sufficient to prohibit the acts of "treason, sedition and subversion", as listed in Article 23 of the territory's constitution, the Basic Law.

Senior Chinese officials led by Vice Premier Qian Qichen, who is responsible for Hong Kong affairs, have told the territory to enact the subversion law as soon as possible.

The Bar Association also said, however, that it had "no objection to any proposal which seeks to put existing laws dealing with the matters listed in Article 23 in a systematic way".

But, it said, any new legislation should be consistent with international human rights charters and the spirit of the Basic Law.

"Pure expression of opinion should not be criminalized," it said.

Secretary of Justice Elsie Leung was Tuesday quoted by the Ming Pao daily as dismissing claims that the law was being introduced under duress from Beijing.

She insisted the law was required for Hong Kong to meet its obligations under the Basic Law.

But some legislators fear the bill could run counter to Hong Kong's policies on freedom of speech and have also argued that prohibition of treason and subversion are covered by existing legislation.