Increasing number of HK residents support national security law

A latest poll showed that two-thirds of Hong Kong residents support the national security law for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a 9 percent rise compared to the previous month.

The Hong Kong Research Association, a nonprofit opinion survey organization, carried out telephone interviews from July 2-5 with 1,097 Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above, and released the results on Wednesday.

Among those surveyed, 66 percent showed “support” or “strong support” for the imposition and enactment of the national security law for Hong Kong.

Sixty-three percent welcome the set-up of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in HKSAR, and nearly 80 percent said the implementation of the law would not have a negative impact on the international financial hub.

The association noted prosperity and security are the expectations of Hong Kong residents, and that only in a secure and stable environment can the rights and freedom enjoyed by Hong Kong people be guaranteed.

Leo Chan, a 26-year-old Hong Kong resident, told the Global Times on Thursday that besides plugging legislative loopholes, the law is also educational, and Chan has full confidence in the peace and stability of Hong Kong in the future. “Rioters and secessionists have set destructive examples for children and brought chaos to the city. But I don’t think it can happen again,” Chan said.

The Hong Kong police force will reorganize its anti-riot squad, and about 3,500 riot police officers are expected to leave the squad and return to their previous posts, as violence in the city has subsided after the enactment of the national security law for Hong Kong, media reported.