Ominous signs in Hong Kong...

This is scary...moreso since Beijing will be calling the shots.

Pro-Beijing politicians in Hong Kong approved legislation on Sunday giving police new powers to conduct electronic surveillance, despite warnings from opposition legislators that it could erode privacy rights.

The Interception of Communications and Surveillance Bill will allow authorities to tap phone lines, screen e-mails and monitor private communications in homes and offices. The law requires any surveillance operation to be approved by judges appointed by Hong Kong's leader.

The legislation was passed unanimously by the Legislative Council after pro-democracy politicians, angry that none of their 200-plus amendments was adopted, walked out of the chamber in protest.