Legal experts, officials review national security law at Hong Kong forum

A legal forum on national security law was held here July 5th, when a number of legal experts reviewed the process of the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and exchanged their views upon it.

The forum, entitled "National Security Law Legal Forum -- Security Brings Prosperity," was organized by the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government online and offline. It aimed at enhancing people's understanding of the national security law in Hong Kong.

The HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at the forum that the legislation and implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong is the major turning point in Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order.

She said over the year-long period before the implementation of the national security law, organizations advocating "Hong Kong independence" and "self-determination" blatantly challenged the authority of the Central authorities and the HKSAR government. Anti-China forces colluded with foreign or external forces to interfere into the affairs of China and the HKSAR, seriously endangering national security.

After the implementation of the law, stability has been restored in society, while human rights and freedoms enjoyed by the overwhelming majority of people are not affected. The rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong are as robust as ever and Hong Kong's status as an international financial center has not wavered at all, she said, adding that the HKSAR government will continue to strengthen and deepen the work on safeguarding national security so as to raise Hong Kong people's awareness of national security and the obligation to abide by the law.

Chen Dong, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, said that the effective implementation of the law has improved the HKSAR's system for safeguarding national security and stabilized the society. He urged the public to firmly support the HKSAR to enforce the law strictly, defend national security resolutely, and safeguard social stability and interests as anti-China forces have not given up.

Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry in the HKSAR, said that the national security law in Hong Kong guarantees the steady and far-reaching practice of "one country, two systems," and is a high-standard "model law" in line with international practice. It also plays an important role in preventing external forces from interfering in Hong Kong affairs, and protects the financial hub's prosperity and stability.

Source: Xinhua