China Revises Contentious National Security Law, Dropping ‘Harmful Spirit’ Clause Amid Public Backlash

In a significant legal revision, China has amended a contentious clause in its draft law, a move seen by observers as an effort to protect individual freedoms and reduce legal ambiguities. Previously, the draft included language that penalized the act of “producing, disseminating, propagating or spreading articles or remarks that are harmful to the spirit or the feelings of the Chinese nation.” This phrase, criticized for its vagueness and subjective interpretation, was removed to prevent potential misuse in law enforcement and infringement on public rights. Shen Chunyao, deputy chairman of the NPC Constitution and Law … Read more