Chief Executive John Lee has announced the start ofthe government’s second attempt to introduce local legislation on national security as required by the Basic Law’s Article 23. The first attempt in 2003 ended in failure amid widespread public protest. This time Hong Kong’s patriots-only political elite cheered. Legislators and business leaders immediately and unanimously endorsed the proposals, which are more comprehensive and draconian than those offered in 2003. The external environment is also different. Mainland Chinese leaders are now laser-like focused on security and geopolitics is mor…