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China’s new anti-terrorism law to crush grassroots protests

Chinese dissident Hu Jia criticises the bill adopted by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, which comes into force on 1 January 2016. Internet anonymity is gone and the military can operate outside Chinese territory. For law defender, it is “basically the same as those in other major countries around the world”.

Beijing (AsiaNews) – China has adopted controversial new anti-terrorism legislation to fight growing threats. However, critics say it is too broad and can be used against dissidents and thwart free speech.

The National People's Congress had addressed the issue in July. Yesterday, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee unanimously approved the legislation, effective 1 January.

The new anti-terror law gives Beijing the power to expand its counterterrorism apparatus. Private and public companies will have to hand over encryption keys on demand to security agencies.

The law also allows the People’s Liberation Army to take part in counterterrorism operations overseas, provided the Central Military Commission approves the missions.

A state-level leading group on counterterrorism will be established and governments of and above the city level will also need to set up affiliated agencies.

Several analysts and dissidents have criticised the new security rules, noting that its Internet provisions effectively ban whatever free speech there was.

"What it is used for is not terrorism, but rather in the name of combating terrorism, it attacks all kinds of protests, particularly group and street protests. It creates all kinds of emergency situations where it can monitor and severely restrict citizens and groups,” tweeted Hu Jia, a prominent Chinese dissident.

US President Barack Obama said in March he raised his concerns about the law with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

However, Li Shouwei, deputy head of the criminal law division of the NPC Standing Committee’s legislative affairs commission, said that similar requirements were in place in other countries.

“The rule accords with the actual need to fight terrorism and is basically the same as those in other major countries around the world,” Li explained.

Other analysts, including in Europe, have noted that even the United States, France and Great Britain have suspended indefinitely several civil rights – guaranteed by their constitutions – because of terror attacks.