2020-06-30
National Security Law promulgated and applied to Hong Kong
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress adopted the NSL and inserted it into Annex III of the Basic Law.
Chronology
Timeline
Key points from the 2020 NSL through the 2026 procedural regulation.
2020-07-07
Article 43 Implementation Rules commenced
The rules operationalized police investigative powers under Article 43.
2021-02-09
Court of Final Appeal decided the leading NSL bail case
HKSAR v Lai Chee Ying became the leading authority on Article 42 bail.
2021-07-30
First completed NSL trial ended in conviction and sentence
Tong Ying Kit was convicted and sentenced to nine years' imprisonment.
2022-12-30
NPCSC interpreted Articles 14 and 47
The interpretation addressed national security certificates and overseas counsel questions.
2024-01-01
Article 23 consultation paper published
The Security Bureau published the consultation paper that framed the later Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
2024-03-23
Safeguarding National Security Ordinance came into force
Hong Kong's local Article 23 ordinance added state secrets, espionage, sabotage, external interference, and related offences.
2024-04-29
Court of Appeal ruled on reviewability of NSC decision
The Court of Appeal held the challenged National Security Committee decision was not amenable to judicial review.
2024-05-08
Court of Appeal granted the 'Glory to Hong Kong' injunction
The Court of Appeal allowed the Secretary for Justice's appeal and granted an interim injunction in aid of criminal law.
2024-05-30
Hong Kong 47 reasons for verdict handed down
The Court of First Instance delivered reasons for verdict in the conspiracy to commit subversion trial.
2024-08-29
Stand News sedition verdict delivered
The District Court delivered reasons for verdict in the Stand News conspiracy to publish seditious publications case.
2024-11-19
Hong Kong 47 sentencing reasons delivered
The Court of First Instance sentenced defendants convicted or pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit subversion.
2025-06-13
LegCo Research Office summarized enforcement statistics
The brief reported 316 arrests under relevant national security laws between 2020 and 2024, with March 2025 charge and conviction updates.
2025-12-02
SNSO prohibition order issued against two organizations
The Secretary for Security prohibited the operation or continued operation in Hong Kong of two named organizations under section 60(1) of the SNSO.
2025-12-15
Jimmy Lai and Apple Daily companies convicted
The Court of First Instance delivered the verdict in the Apple Daily collusion and sedition case.
2026-02-11
Police reported 2025 national security enforcement totals
The annual law-and-order review reported 385 national security arrests by the end of 2025 since the HKNSL and SNSO came into force.
2026-06-09
Procedural Matters Regulation commenced
The subsidiary regulation clarified classification of other HKSAR offences as national security offences when certified.