The formulation and enactment of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an important milestone in the practice of “one country, two systems,” a Chinese spokesperson said Saturday. Wang Chao, spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress, made the remarks at a press conference ahead of the opening of the session.
Since the Hong Kong national security law took effect, the institutions and mechanisms for safeguarding national security have been further improved, national security has been effectively safeguarded, and social order has been resumed rapidly, Wang said. The law has been successful in ensuring the rule of law, improving the business environment, bringing development back to normal, and better protecting the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.
The Law on Safeguarding National Security has allowed Hong Kong to have a major turn from chaos to stability. About 75.7 percent of Hong Kong citizens are satisfied with the implementation of the Hong Kong national security law, according to opinion polls cited by Wang. The law has helped to address the practical problems in the enforcement of the Hong Kong national security law in a proper and timely manner.
At the end of 2022, the NPC Standing Committee interpreted relevant provisions in the Hong Kong national security law, clarifying the legal definition of relevant clauses and making clear the means and pathways of resolving relevant issues. This interpretation was crucial in addressing the practical issues that arose during the enforcement of the law.
The Law on Safeguarding National Security is an important part of the “one country, two systems” principle that has been in place in Hong Kong since the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China in 1997. The principle allows Hong Kong to maintain a high degree of autonomy, including its own legal system, while remaining part of China.
The enactment of the law has been met with mixed reactions from the international community, with some countries expressing concern over its potential impact on Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms. However, the Chinese government has maintained that the law is necessary for maintaining national security and stability in Hong Kong.
Overall, the Law on Safeguarding National Security has been successful in its aims of improving national security, ensuring the rule of law, and better protecting the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents. Its implementation will likely continue to be closely watched by the international community as Hong Kong navigates its relationship with China under the “one country, two systems” principle.