Lawyers

• China passes new pollution law, sets sights on coal consumption cap

  Legislators have approved amendments to China's 15-year-old air pollution law that grant the state new powers to punish offenders and create a legal framework to cap coal consumption, the Asian giant's biggest source of smog.

• Hong Kong toes China line with reform package, vows no compromise

  The Hong Kong government published a long-awaited electoral blueprint for selecting the city's next leader on Wednesday, a plan enshrining China's desire for a tightly controlled poll that has angered activists and stoked talk of fresh protests.

• China national security law to address 'harmful moral standards'

  China reviewed a new national security law during a meeting of its legislature's top body that will deal with a range of risks, including "harmful moral standards", state media said on Monday.

• China's No. 3 leader warns HK activists against 'crossing a line'

  China's third-ranked leader warned advocates of Hong Kong independence on Friday that they were "crossing a line", local media reported.

• China No. 3 leader says more attention needed for Hong Kong young

  China's third-ranked leader wants greater attention paid to young people in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong, after they staged pro-democracy protests last year that shut down parts of the city for two and a half months.

• Hong Kong government cements support for China's pre-screening of poll candidates

  The Hong Kong government on Wednesday cemented its support for China's plan to pre-screen candidates for the city's 2017 leadership election, just weeks after authorities cleared the streets of protesters pushing for greater democracy.

• Hong Kong's post-handover leader says China won't change mind on democracy: paper

  Hong Kong's first leader after its return to Chinese rule says Communist Party leaders in Beijing will not give in to students' demands for democracy, a newspaper said on Sunday, an apparent response to their suggestion he could act as intermediary.