‘Law a turning point for HK’
It will move city from turmoil to stability, says official
The promulgation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) marks a significant turning point for Hong Kong and a milestone for the practice of “one country, two systems”, Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, said.
“With the elapse of time, we will get a good view that the promulgation of the law marks a significant turning point for Hong Kong to move from turmoil to stability,” he said in a speech at a launching ceremony of events marking the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
The social unrest arising from the now-withdrawn ordinance amendments concerning fugitive transfers since last year has exposed the tremendous risks Hong Kong is facing in safeguarding national security and posed a grave challenge to “one country, two systems”, he said.
Against this backdrop, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, a move to further consolidate and improve the “one country, two systems” framework, Luo noted.
The unprecedented cause of “one country, two systems” needs to be continuously enriched and developed in practice, he said.
“We feel heartened that the national security law will help safeguard ‘one country, two systems’ in Hong Kong.”
“For the tiny minority of people who endanger national security, this law will be a sword hanging over their heads.
“For the vast majority of Hong Kong residents, including foreigners living here, the law will be a guardian that protects their rights, freedoms and peaceful lives,” he stressed. — Xinhua