Letters to Hong Kong

26 May 2020 - Message on Hong Kong national security law

Dear friends of Hong Kong,

The National People's Congress (NPC) will deliberate a draft Decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to safeguard national security (the Decision). I would like to share with you the relevant background and perspectives.

Every country has a right, and indeed a duty, to protect national security and sovereignty. Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China –– a local administrative region enjoying a high degree of autonomy directly under the Central People's Government. Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the constitutional requirement of the HKSAR, the duty of the HKSAR Government, and also in the interest of all Hong Kong residents.

National security is a matter under the purview of the Central Authorities, just as it is in any other country in the world. The Decision by the NPC, the highest organ of State power, optimises the HKSAR’s implementation of the system and mechanisms concerning national security under the Constitution and the Basic Law.

In recent days, protesters have returned to the streets of Hong Kong to wreak havoc yet again. Violence has been escalating, with cases involving explosives and genuine firearms, and activities which harm national security are becoming more rampant. These have had a massive impact on our economy and social stability and cannot be allowed to continue. No country would or could turn a blind eye to a resurgence of the violence and anarchy that have plagued our society for almost a year.

In view of the increasingly serious situation the HKSAR is facing in relation to national security and the difficulty of the executive and legislative authorities of the HKSAR to complete on their own legislation for safeguarding national security in the foreseeable future, the HKSAR Government supports the NPC's deliberation of the Decision. After the passage of the Decision, the HKSAR Government will fully co-operate with the Standing Committee of the NPC to complete the legislation as soon as possible to discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security.

The fundamental objective of the Decision is to safeguard national security and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, thereby better protecting the legitimate rights and interests of all members of the public in the city. The proposed law will only target acts of secession, subversion, terrorist activities as well as activities interfering with HKSAR’s internal affairs by foreign or external forces. The vast majority of law-abiding Hong Kong residents, including overseas investors, has nothing to worry about.

The legitimate rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the law and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, will not be affected. Hong Kong will remain a free, cosmopolitan, open and welcoming city under the rule of law. Our high degree of autonomy and the cardinal principle of Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong as enshrined in the Basic Law will remain intact. The long-term stability and prosperity of this vibrant international metropolis under the unique and well-tried “One Country, Two Systems” will be further assured. This would also be conducive to the business environment in Hong Kong as an international financial, trade and logistics centre.

We, as always, appreciate your affection and support for Hong Kong throughout the years. Should you have any question, please feel free to get in touch with us.

Thank you.

Kin-wai LAW,
Director-General
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region