Central govt lauds passage of safeguarding national security bill in HKSAR

Central government offices on Tuesday lauded the unanimous passage of the safeguarding national security bill by the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said the bill's passage marked the successful completion of the legislative work on Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law, which had been delayed for nearly 27 years, and set a milestone for the HKSAR's long-term stability.

A spokesperson for the office said the legislative procedure of the ordinance was rigorous and procedure-based, taking into account the balance between safeguarding national security, protecting rights and freedoms, and economic development, which was in line with the international law and international common practices.

The ordinance and the national security law in the HKSAR complement each other, effectively plugging the loopholes in the HKSAR's laws on safeguarding national security and building a solid barrier for safeguarding national security.

The spokesperson pointed out that with the implementation of the ordinance, the acts and activities of a small number of people that endanger national security will be prevented, stopped and punished according to the law, and a majority of HKSAR residents and international investors will benefit from it.

The spokesperson said that the office will continue to perform its duties firmly according to law, fully support the HKSAR in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security, comprehensively and accurately implement national security law in the HKSAR, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other local laws in Hong Kong, and jointly write a new chapter in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR.

According to the HKSAR's law-making process, when a bill has been given three readings, it becomes an ordinance enacted by the LegCo. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance will be gazetted and take effect on March 23.

State Council: Standing firm behind HKSAR

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council published an article on Tuesday to extend congratulations on the passage of the bill, saying it marked the completion of the legislation of Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law.

"To this, we express our full support and extend our warm congratulations," said the article, which hailed the move as a milestone in developing the cause of "One Country, Two Systems."

To safeguard national security is to safeguard "One Country, Two Systems," the prosperity and stability of the HKSAR, and democracy and freedom in the region, according to the article, adding that it also means safeguarding the human rights and well-being of all the residents in the HKSAR.

The formulation and promulgation of the bill will further consolidate the foundations of national security for the HKSAR's development and accelerate its advance toward becoming more prosperous, it said.

By actively fulfilling its constitutional obligation to safeguard national security, the HKSAR has shown a new look of both loving the country and loving the region, the article noted.

The bill balances the safeguarding of national security and the guaranteeing of rights, freedom and economic development, it said.

The bill fully respects and guarantees human rights. It only targets a very small number of people who endanger national security, while protecting the human rights and freedom of the vast majority of people, the article noted.

It ensures better coordination in pursuing development and upholding security by strictly limiting its scope of application to acts and activities that endanger national security, it said.

Normal business transactions and international contact, as well as general business disputes and criminal cases, will not be targeted, it added.

The motherland will forever stand firm behind the HKSAR, and the central government will continue to fully support the HKSAR in actively responding to changes in the external environment and concentrating its efforts on economic development and improving people's livelihoods, the article noted.

The process of completing national security legislation in the HKSAR once again proves that the progress on the cause of "One Country, Two Systems" is unstoppable. The HKSAR will achieve even better development and greater glory, it said.

Liaison office: Another milestone reached

The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR on Tuesday said that the passage of the bill is another milestone since Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

The passage of the bill marked the effective implementation by the HKSAR of the constitutional responsibility stipulated under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law, consolidating the foundation for the HKSAR's long-term peace, prosperity and stability, and will ensure the HKSAR's high-quality development with a high level of security, the office said in a statement.

The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance is a long-awaited law that is in line with the will of the people, ensures security and fosters development, the office said, citing data that 98.6 percent of the views received during a previous public consultation showed support for the legislation and gave positive comments.

The statement emphasized that the smooth passage of the bill allows the HKSAR to focus on economic development and improving people's livelihood. With high-level security guarantees, the HKSAR will surely be able to seize the opportunities in the process of Chinese modernization.

NPC: Substantial progress made by HKSAR

Applauding the passage of the bill, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) said it is a significant move and substantial progress made by the HKSAR in fulfilling its constitutional duty and legal obligation to safeguarding national security.

The move further improves the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, and provides a strong legal guarantee for preventing, restraining and punishing activities that undermine national security, a leading official of the commission said.

The official said the commission had noted the broad social foundation of the bill, as it was unanimously adopted.

"We believe that the administrative, legislative and judicial organs of the HKSAR will follow the principle of the rule of law and conscientiously carry out the implementation work," the official said.

According to the Basic Law of the HKSAR, laws enacted by the legislature of the HKSAR must be reported to the NPC Standing Committee for record. After the new bill is received by the NPC Standing Committee, it will be reviewed by relevant agencies following due procedure, the official said, adding that the NPC Standing Committee will be briefed on the progress.

Commissioner's office: Nothing can hinder HKSAR's path to prosperity

The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR on Tuesday also expressed congratulations on the passage of the safeguarding national security bill, highlighting its "milestone significance" in the practice of "One Country, Two Systems."

The legislation represents the HKSAR's effort to fulfill its constitutional duty stipulated by Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law. It reflects the common aspirations of the people and will provide a solid foundation for the HKSAR to protect national security and thrive, said a statement released by the office.

The ordinance ensures the well-being, rights and interests of the HKSAR residents, while offering protection for foreign institutions, organizations and personnel in the region to engage in legitimate exchanges and business activities, said the statement.

The office said the ordinance will help create a business environment that is safe, convenient and efficient, strengthen the confidence of local and overseas investors, and foster high-quality development.

Calculated slanders on Article 23 legislation and underhanded attempts to sabotage "One Country, Two Systems" will not stand in the way of the HKSAR's path to prosperity, the statement said.

The central government of China fully, faithfully and unswervingly implements "One Country, Two Systems" and vigorously supports the HKSAR in achieving better and faster development as well as closer cooperation with the world, said the office.

(With input from Xinhua)