Hong Kong needs local law to boost national security

Safeguarding sovereignty, national security and development interests is the fundamental purpose and bottom line of the "one country, two systems" principle. Without national security, the long-term prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region cannot be guaranteed. Article 23 of the Basic Law empowers the SAR government to enact laws on its own so as to safeguard national security. However, even 26 years after the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, no legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law (BL23) has been enacted.

The sixth-term SAR government led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has taken concrete measures to promote legislation on BL23. On Jan 25, during his question and answer session, Lee said the government's preparations were in the final stage and the "path to the finishing line" is straight. On Jan 30, the government officially launched public consultations on a piece of BL23 legislation.

The senior officials of the SAR government, Executive Council and Legislative Council members, as well as people and organizations from all walks of life in HK have supported such legislation.