刘晓明Liu XiaomingVerified account

Q: What is your comment on the national security legislation for Hong Kong? A: The deliberation on the draft decision by the third session of the 13th NPC is extremely important and timely. There shouldn't be the slightest delay. It has three-fold significance.

A: First, it will plug the loophole in national security legislation that has been there since HK's handover. 23 years after HK's return to China, Article 23 of Basic Law is yet to materialize&has been severely stigmatised&demonized. The other relevant laws of HK remain dormant.

A: This means Hong Kong has long been “defenseless” in terms of national security. By deliberating on this draft decision in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, the NPC is plugging the loophole in the national security legislation for Hong Kong.

A: The draft decision is reasonable, effective and legitimate, and will serve as an institutional basis and security safeguard for the steady and sustained development of “One Country, Two Systems”.

A: Second, the draft decision will strengthen China’s capability of responding to external interference. It states clearly the country resolutely opposes the interference in the affairs of HKSAR by any foreign or external forces in any form &will take necessary counter-measures.

A: Hong Kong would not have experienced what it has since the turbulence over the proposed legislative amendments last June had it not been for the interference of external forces.

A: These foreign forces have openly interfered in HK affairs in various forms, colluded with anti-China elements seeking to disrupt HK, clamoured for “Hong Kong independence”, “self determination” and “referendum”, and used HK as a base for undermining China’s national security.