- Welcome back.

Major pushback tonight

against China's newsecurity law in Hong Kong.

Although the chief executive there

says it will not changelife as people know it,

the measure has already led to arrests

and there's fear many more will come.

CBN News national security correspondent

Eric Philips has the latest.

Eric, where do things stand now?

- Well John, many people say

that the major purposebehind this new security law

was to quell pro-democracyefforts in Hong Kong,

but officials there say thatthe latitude to create this law

has long been a part of their constitution

and it should've happened a long time ago

for the good and wellbeing of everyone.

Tuesday, Hong Kong's legislators

grilled Chinese government officials

about the territory's newnational security law.

Some going as far as to holdup blank pieces of paper,

asking if that's a violation.

Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam,

coming to the law's defense.

- Ultimately, time and facts will tell

that this law will not underminehuman rights and freedoms.

This law will restorestability to Hong Kong.

- [Eric] The law castsa wide net over anything

that could be viewed byBeijing as anti-government.

For example, a person shouting slogans

or holding up bannerscalling for independence

is violating the law.

Police may search anyperson without a warrant

if they deem the circumstancesto be exceptional.

Restraining orders to freezeor confiscate property

can be ordered if thereare reasonable grounds

to suspect it is endangeringnational security.

And police may apply for a warrant

requiring anyone suspectedof violating the law

to surrender travel documents

so they may not leave Hong Kong.

- Well, I think that usingthe national security law

to erode fundamental freedoms

and to create an atmosphere ofcoercion and self-censorship

is a tragedy for Hong Kong.

- I think the world is watching now

to see if one country, twosystems is a complete sham.

- [Eric] As a professorof political science

and international affairs atUniversity of Mary Washington,

Dr. Elizabeth Larus specializes in China.

- This law has a very, very wide sweep

despite Carrie Lam'sargument, calming words

that this affects just atiny, tiny number of people.

- [Eric] But it has alreadyaffected one Hong Kong resident,

arrested after driving hismotorcycle through the streets

and into a line of policewith a banner reading,

"Liberate Hong Kong,revolution of our times."

- With the risk of our personal safety,

with the threat of life sentencing,

we still have to let the world to know

that now is the timeto stand with Hong Kong

and now is the time for HongKongers, keep our momentum.

- While the US is continually evaluating

its relationship with HongKong, so is big business.

The growing social media app TikTok

says it will move its operationsout of the economic center.

The companies Facebook,WhatsApp, Google and Twitter

are all assessing this new security law

while balking at the possibility

of providing user information

to Hong Kong authorities, John.

- And we know you'll keep tracking

this developing story for us.

- You bet.- CBN's Eric Philips.