Safeguarding national security is not an effort with completion, but an “ongoing” process, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the office made the remarks on its official WeChat account on the same day as the State Council released a white paper titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding National Security Under the Framework of ‘One Country, Two Systems’”, reviewing the practice and outlining the way ahead to ensure security and stability in the SAR.

Emphasizing that defending national security is the HKSAR's constitutional duty, the spokesperson said the city's experience since its return to the motherland has shown “only with national security could Hong Kong be safe, its people live well, and businesses thrive”.

“The HKSAR has continued to improve its local legal system, carried out law enforcement and judicial work to safeguard national security, and promoted national security education, forming a synergy across the city to defend national security,” the spokesperson said.

The power of governance has been in the hands of patriots and the rights of residents have been guaranteed, presenting a vibrant scene of all sectors working together to build Hong Kong, promote development and safeguard national security, according to the spokesperson.

Citing the city’s achievements such as retaining its title as the world’s freest economy and the launch of the International Court of Mediation, the liaison office stressed the SAR's economy and people's livelihoods continued to improve.

A recent poll conducted by a foreign chamber of commerce showed 94 percent of the surveyed companies have confidence in the rule of law in Hong Kong, the spokesperson pointed out.

“Facts speak louder than words. All attacks and smears against the HKSAR's efforts to safeguard national security have failed. The ‘Pearl of the Orient’ shines brighter than ever before,” reads the statement.

Describing the white paper as a new starting point, the liaison office said the SAR’s efforts to safeguard national security will be further deepened, and will continue to provide high-level security for high-quality development.

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With the full support of the central government, the HKSAR's system for safeguarding national security will contribute to Hong Kong's long-term prosperity, making greater contributions to the building of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, it added.