NPC spokesperson vows support for HKSAR's legislation of Article 23

Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, on Monday vowed the NPC's full support for the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Lou made the remarks when briefing the press on the NPC session scheduled to run from March 5 to 11.

The HKSAR government has recently held a series of briefing and consultation sessions to explain details of the said legislation.

The spokesperson pointed out that to enact laws on safeguarding national security as stipulated in the Basic Law of the HKSAR is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR and is also the statutory obligation of the HKSAR in implementing the provisions of the Basic Law and the NPC's decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in HKSAR as well as the relevant provisions in the national security law.

This legislation, together with national security law and other laws of HKSAR will form a systematic and comprehensive legal system for safeguarding national security, Lou added.

He said the legislation is conducive to safeguarding the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country, maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of HKSAR, safeguarding the fundamental well-being of all the residents of Hong Kong and protecting the interests of global investors in Hong Kong.

It will also ensure the long-term stability and security of the HKSAR and the steady and sustained implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" practice. 

"We will continue to pay close attention and give support to the HKSAR in its legislative efforts," said Lou.

Under the practice of "One Country, Two Systems," Hong Kong, with its resilient, dynamic and promising economy, has its distinctive advantages of owning strong support from the motherland and having close connection with the world market, he said, adding that the central authorities will continue to support Hong Kong in its integration into the overall situation of national development.