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QINGDAO TODAY
在线翻译:
szdaily -> News -> 
Law on safeguarding national security in HK adopted
    2020-07-01  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

CHINESE lawmakers yesterday voted to adopt the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

President Xi Jinping signed a presidential decree unveiling the law.

The law was passed at the 20th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, in Beijing.

The NPC Standing Committee also adopted a decision to list the law in Annex III to the HKSAR Basic Law.

China’s top legislator emphasized resolute and effective efforts to safeguard national security, the constitutional order, and the order of rule of law in Hong Kong.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the 13th National People’s Congress Standing Committee, said at the meeting that the “one country, two systems” cause should be steered toward the right direction.

Starting in June last year, widespread protests — oftentimes radical demonstrations — sparked by a fugitive bill movement have embroiled most parts of Hong Kong into a state of complete chaos. If not worse, the local economy was plunged into the worst crisis since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland in 1997. Hong Kong’s GDP contracted by 1.2 percent last year.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council issued a statement yesterday, voicing firm support for the law.

The office pledged full support for and cooperation in the work related to the implementation of the law to ensure its effective enforcement in the HKSAR.

The HKSAR Government welcomes the passage of the law, Lam said in a statement released in the evening.

Hailing the legislation, Lam said the HKSAR Government will complete the necessary procedure for publication by gazette as soon as possible to enable the implementation of the law in Hong Kong in tandem.

Leading political groups, police associations and a college alliance in Hong Kong also voiced strong support yesterday for the passage of the law.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the largest party in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, expressed “full support” for the passage and enactment of the law.

By protecting the “one country, two systems” principle, the law will not only safeguard national security in Hong Kong, but will continue to promote Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, as well as defend the rights of its people, the party said.

(Continued on P4)

Citywide riots that broke out last year had completely destabilized the city, the DAB said in a statement. Meanwhile, the unrest also exposed a loophole in Hong Kong’s efforts to protect national security. The special administrative region has failed for 23 years to fulfill its constitutional duty to enact a national security law under Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, and consequently, the opposition, separatist, and Western anti-China forces were provided an opportunity to undermine the city’s rule of law, economy, and people’s livelihood, the statement said.

The DAB said the law showed the central authorities’ trust in Hong Kong as it gives the SAR an important role in law enforcement and prosecution, and the administration of justice. It also places great emphasis on protecting the legitimate rights of the people of Hong Kong. Therefore, the law serves the fundamental interest of Hong Kong residents and will benefit Hong Kong’s long-term development, the DAB said.

Joining the chorus of endorsements was the city’s largest labor union, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, which strongly urged speedy implementation of the newly passed national security law.

The union said that the continuing riots, which began in June 2019, have triggered prolonged social unrest and have become an unbearable burden on the city’s economy and people’s livelihoods. Therefore, the passage of the national security law is “a unanimous aspiration of the people”, the union said.

Four local police associations issued a joint statement in support of the national security law. On behalf the city’s 30,000-member police force, the heads of the associations pledged to continue to resolutely protect the national security, public order, and people’s safety in the city.

The associations include the Hong Kong Police Inspectors’ Association, the Junior Police Officers’ Association, the Superintendents’ Association, and the Overseas Inspectors’ Association.

The Hong Kong University Education Alumni Association said in a statement the law will protect the majority of Hong Kong people, who abide by the law, and will reinforce Hong Kong’s core competitiveness as an international financial and business hub.

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