Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam on Thursday welcomed the adoption of the draft decision on national security law for HKSAR, stressing that the SAR government will "fully cooperate with the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) to complete the relevant work on legislation as soon as possible."

The remarks come after China's top legislature adopted a draft decision on national security legislation for HKSAR during the third session of the 13th NPC. The draft decision, submitted to the NPC last Friday, aims to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for HKSAR to safeguard national security.

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China adopts draft decision on national security law for HKSAR

In the statement, Lam stressed the need and urgency for Hong Kong to establish and improve its legal system and enforcement mechanism to safeguard national security at the state level, pledging to fully cooperate and complete the relevant work on the legislation as soon as possible.

Acknowledging Hong Kong as an inalienable part of China and its constitutional duty of safeguarding national security, Lam stressed that the legislation aims to prevent, curb and sanction an extremely small minority who threaten national security to safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and maintain "One Country, Two Systems."

"It will not affect the legitimate rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents," said the statement, which called for understanding and support from various sectors of society.

Earlier on Thursday, Lam joined residents on the street and signed a petition in support of the national security legislation.

The petition was launched on May 24 by a newly established organization jointly initiated by thousands of people and hundreds of groups representing various sectors in Hong Kong.

Visiting a street stand with residents and volunteers at lunchtime on Thursday, Lam said the legislation will help Hong Kong restore stability as soon as possible after the trauma of violence, adding that it would allow the city's economy to recover and more job opportunities.

The chief executive greeted people at the stand and signed the petition with Chan Kwok-ki, head of the chief executive's office.

The some 2,005 street stands set up across Hong Kong collected over 732,000 signatures, the organizer of the activity, the United Front Supporting National Security Legislation, said on Tuesday.

It has also launched an online petition, and nearly 900,000 residents have signed, the website's data showed.

Other senior Hong Kong officials have also signed, including Lee Ka-Chiu, secretary for security of the HKSAR, and Matthew Cheung the city's chief secretary for administration.