A newly released white paper on Hong Kong’s efforts to safeguard national security injects strong momentum into safeguarding the high-quality development of the "one country, two systems" principle, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said on Tuesday.
The document provides a thorough review of the special administrative region’s national security practices, reaffirms the central government’s staunch backing for the city’s safeguarding role, and consolidates essential insights of experience for upholding national security under “one country, two systems”, a spokesman for the office said in a statement.
The spokesperson emphasized that the fight to safeguard national security in Hong Kong has never ceased, and the central government has consistently prioritized national security in matters concerning the SAR.
“The social unrest in 2019 brought Hong Kong to its most difficult situation since its return to the motherland. At that critical moment, the central government assessed the situation and made decisive decisions to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the SAR at the national level.”
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The enactment of the HKSAR National Security Law effectively plugged legal loopholes, the spokesperson said, emphasizing that the NSL upholds the principle of the rule of law and respects and safeguards human rights.
Meanwhile, the NSL fully embodies the legislative spirit of upholding the “one country” foundation while respecting the differences between the “two systems”, the spokesperson added.
“It demonstrates full respect for and confidence in the high degree of autonomy of the HKSAR, represents an adherence to and improvement of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and has gained widespread recognition within Hong Kong society.”
The spokesperson said that over five years since the enactment and implementation of the NSL, its effectiveness has been fully demonstrated.
“The ringleaders of anti-China and disruptive activities in Hong Kong have been convicted and sentenced according to the law, external interference has been countered with firm and decisive measures, and hostile forces can no longer act with impunity.”
Moreover, national security has been effectively safeguarded, governance efficiency has been significantly enhanced, the dignity of the rule of law has been vigorously defended, and the concept of “security brings prosperity” has increasingly become mainstream social consciousness, the spokesperson added.
"HKSAR's national security work has achieved historic accomplishments and undergone historic transformations, with nation’s sovereignty, security, and development interests being robustly safeguarded."
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The spokesperson added that national security falls under the jurisdiction of the central government, which bears fundamental responsibility for matters related to national security in the HKSAR.
“The NSL innovatively establishes enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security at both the central and SAR levels. The central government supports the HKSAR in effectively fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to uphold national security.”
The spokesperson emphasized that safeguarding national security is a crucial foundation for the steady and long-term implementation of “one country, two systems”.
“The authority of the NSL must not be challenged, and Hong Kong's just actions and rule of law practices in safeguarding national security must not be interfered with or meddled in by any external forces.”
