HONG KONG (AFP) - Hong Kong's government announced plans to relaunch public consultation on a new security law which sparked massive protests and the city's worst political crisis since the 1997 handover.
Permanent secretary for security Timothy Tong said consultations would re-start in September, adding a draft bill would be released as soon as possible.
The government's initial bill, drawn up under Article 23 of Hong Kong's post-1997 constitution, was shelved by Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa after more than 500,000 marched through the streets in protest here on July 1.
Critics and opponents of the legislation said the bill threatened Hong Kong's political, religious and media freedoms.
The new legislation will be heavily based on the earlier proposed security bill, but will include several key amendments already agreed by the government, said Tong.
The key amendments included the removal of provisions enabling Hong Kong authorities to proscribe organisations banned in China and another giving police power to conduct searches without warrants.
In addition, public interest would be made available as a defence for the unlawful disclosure of state secrets by journalists.
The three concessions failed to quell international and local concern earlier this month, and Tung bowed to pressure by postponing the bill indefinitely.
A succession of large protests which followed the July 1 rally later prompted the resignation of two of Tung's key lieutenants including Security chief Regina Ip, who spearheaded the bill's push through the legislature.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday he was confident China's top leaders and Tung were sincerely paying heed to Hong Kong residents' deep concerns over the security legislation.
Blair confirmed he discussed the bill as well as greater democracy for the former British colony, both with Tung and on Monday in Beijing with China's top leaders.
"I think there is a sense certainly that I have that the authorities here are very much listening to what people say and that everyone wants to move forward in a situation where we maintain the essential stability that is a crucial part of the success of Hong Kong," he said.
"I found the Chinese leadership, when I was discussing Hong Kong with them, very much aware of the need to handle the situation sensitively and in accordance with the guarantees that have been given to the people here in Hong Kong," he said.
Beijing, which has long harboured fears Hong Kong could become a base for subversion since one million people poured onto the streets in the wake of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, has insisted the bill be passed though it has reportedly left the timetable up to Hong Kong officials.
Support from the Central Government last week on his first visit to Beijing since the July 1 rally, helped to stabilise the embattled Tung's position amid mounting calls for him to step down as his popularity hit an all-time low.