Hong Kong’s only election candidate pledges to enact local security law

Hong Kong’s only candidate for the upcoming leadership elections has pledged to enact long-shelved local legislation to protect against security threats and vowed to increase the city’s competitiveness after taking office.

John Lee, formerly the city’s number two official, revealed his 44-page manifesto yesterday, vowing to strengthen governance, increase public housingsupply,boostthecity’scompetitiveness and build an inclusive society focused on upward mobility.

As part of improving governance,mrleesaidhewould“fulfil the constitutional responsibility of legislation” under Article23ofhongkong’smini-constitution, the Basic Law.

Article 23 stipulates that the city shall enact its own laws to prohibit “any act of treas on, secession, sedition, subversion against the C entral People’s Government” as well as “theft of state secrets” .

Hong Kong attempted to enact such laws in 2003 but facedresistancefromresidents.

Plans to implement such a security law were shelved following massive protests.

In 2020, the city implemented anationalsecuritylawimposed by Beijing after months of antigovernment protests the year before.

Mr Lee, 64, is Beijing’ s only endorsedcandidatefortheelections and is widely expected to win during the polls on May 8.

He resigned as chief secretary for administration earlier in April to run for election .

Prior to becoming a government official, Mr Lee spent most of his career in the police forceandisknownforhistough stance against protesters during the 2019 anti-government demonstrations.

He pledged to boost the city’ s competitiveness and set a firm foundation for Hong Kong’s development, dismissing concerns that growing numbers of residents were leaving the city and draining it of talent.

“Hong Kong has experienced mobilityofpeopleoveritshistory,especiallyinthelast25years. Thisisathingthatwehavebeen living with and coming across regularly,” he said.

He acknowledged that people who sought to leave the city werelikelydoingsoinresponse tohongkong’scovid-19restrictions and measures.

Hong Kong has strict Covid-19 measures in place, including flight bans for airlines who import multiple passengers whotestpositiveforthevirus,as wellasamandatoryquarantine for most incoming travellers.

“Covid-19 will pass no matter what. It’s a matter of time,” he said. “In the long term, it is howwemakepeoplerealisethe competitiveness and the beauty of Hong Kong as a place they shouldcometowork,toliveand to develop.”

He described Hong Kong as a place where people can “make money ” and said that the city remained an important gatewaytothegreaterbayareaand the mainland Chinese market.

“These are the strengths that will not be replaced by any cities in China or any countries in the world,” said Mr Lee.

Separately, Mr Lee also said he would provide more land and housing for residents by streamliningprocedures.hong Kong is one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world and a lack of affordable housing is a concern for the younger generation.

“We will do so more quickly, more efficiently and in greater quantity,” Mr Lee said.