HK leader welcomes NPC approval of national security law

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the proposed national security law will better help Hong Kong's development down the road.

In welcoming the nation's top legislature's approval of the decision to introduce a national security law for Hong Kong, Lam said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR and concerns every Hong Kong citizen.

The law is urgently needed, considering the city is unable to enact a law on its own in a short time, she said.

The HKSAR government will fully cooperate with the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to complete the relevant work on the legislation as soon as possible and proactively reflect the detailed situation in Hong Kong during the process, pledged Lam in a statement issued after the passage of NPC's decision.

"I strongly believe that various sectors of society will lend their full support for the legislation," Lam said.

The Hong Kong leader also said the government will ramp up enforcement of the national security law, raise public awareness of the law, and report regularly to the central government.

Lam reassured Hong Kong residents that the legislation won't affect the legitimate rights and freedoms they are entitled to, but only prevents, curbs and sanctions an extremely small minority of criminals who threaten national security.