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Hong Kong administration responds
Hong Kong will remain a free, cosmopolitan, open and welcoming city under the rule of law. Our high degree of autonomy and the cardinal principle of Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong as enshrined in the Basic Law will remain intact.
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Riot police disperse anti-government protesters during a protest at Mong Kok in Hong Kong, China May 10, 2020. (Reuters/Tyrone Siu)
I refer to Chris Patten’s opinion piece “We are Hong Kong” (May 30) published in The Jakarta Post.
National security is of prime importance to any sovereign state. Every country has the right and duty to protect national security and sovereignty. It is fallacious and regrettable to suggest that our sovereign, China, does not have the right to legislate and protect national security.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is an inalienable part of China. In view of the current situation in Hong Kong and the difficulty faced by the executive and legislative branches in completing their own legislation to safeguard national security for the foreseeable future, the Central Authorities have the right and duty to introduce law at the national level to establish and improve the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for HKSAR to safeguard national security. It is in compliance with the Basic Law and the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”.
The national security law will only target acts or activities, namely acts of secession, subverting state power, organizing and carrying out terrorist activities, as well as activities interfering with the HKSAR’s internal affairs by foreign or external forces. It will not undermine the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, nor change the fact that the HKSAR enjoys executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication.
The legitimate rights and freedoms enjoyed by people in Hong Kong and their lawful interests will not be affected by the national security law. Hong Kong will remain a free, cosmopolitan, open and welcoming city under the rule of law. Our high degree of autonomy and the cardinal principle of Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong as enshrined in the Basic Law will remain intact.
The long-term stability and prosperity of this vibrant international metropolis under the unique and well-tried “One Country, Two Systems” will be further assured.
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Director general of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
