National security legislation for Hong Kong not to affect its high autonomy
HONG KONG — The draft decision of China’s top legislature to introduce national security legislation for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will not affect HKSAR’s high degree of autonomy, analysts said.
On the contrary, the legislation will serve as institutional reinforcement of the “one country, two systems” principle, safeguard the rule of law and a stable business environment in Hong Kong, and protect the well-being of the vast majority of Hong Kong residents once it fixes the loopholes in national security, according to analysts.
Legal experts stressed that the legislation aims to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security and won't affect the HKSAR’s exercise of independent judicial power, including final adjudication.
Agencies to be set up by relevant national security organs of the central government in the HKSAR will fulfil relevant duties to safeguard national security in accordance with the law, they said.
Hong Kong’s social economy has suffered unprecedentedly amid the disturbance following the proposed ordinance amendments last year and the COVID-19 epidemic this year. To restore order and get things back on track has become the mainstream will of the Hong Kong society.
However, the opposition forces in the HKSAR have been playing the “burn with us” suicidal mentality socially, politically and economically, regardless of Hong Kong residents’ well-being and fundamental interests.
“The opposition went all out in stigmatising and demonising the relevant legislation, resulting in Hong Kong's lack of social conditions to complete the legislation on its own,” said Ng Chau-pei, a deputy to the National People’s Congress from the HKSAR.
Therefore, the central authorities must take countermeasures to respond to the challenges to the Constitution, the Basic Law and national security in a bid to restore prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, he said.