New national security law calls for protection of economic interests

An expansive new draft law on national security targets all corners of society and calls for protection of China’s economy and the industries vital to it, South China Morning Post reported, citing the full text of the draft posted to the legislature’s website. The draft law emphasizes grain security and cybersecurity along with a slew of other issues perennial issues, but stops short of naming or explaining the role of the party’s new National Security Commission, headed by President Xi Jinping. Hong Kong University law professor Fu Hualing said it was not clear what legal status the commission had and how its power would be regulated by law.