HK legislation balances rule of law and development

The recent implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Bill in Hong Kong, 26 years after the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, marks a significant milestone in bolstering the special administrative region's legal framework for safeguarding national security.

The belated piece of legislation, based on Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, signifies the advancement of the "one country, two systems" framework and highlights the political achievements of "patriots governing Hong Kong".

The Safeguarding National Security Bill, characterized by its scientific and democratic essence, will play a significant role in strengthening the rule of law in Hong Kong. The new law is comprehensive in that it integrates the substantive and procedural aspects of law as well as complements the National Security Law of Hong Kong, and identifies the offenses punishable under Article 23. In fact, it is an institutional response to the decision made by the National People's Congress on May 28, 2020, and aimed at eliminating the new national security risks, thereby plugging the loopholes in the national security legal framework.