Most HK residents believe life is better with National Security Law, poll says

It is alarmist and politically biased to claim that the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong in 2020 makes the city more "mainlandized" and thus affects its status as an international financial center, a senior official said Tuesday.

Huang Liuquan, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a conference in Beijing about the implementation of the China's "one country, two systems" policy in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

All countries have their own laws to safeguard their national security, and the Hong Kong National Security Law is no different than those in other regions, he said.

Huang said that a recent poll in Hong Kong shows that 71.9 percent of respondents believe that after the implementation of the National Security Law, the rule of law has been restored, people have returned to living more peaceful lives and the business environment has improved.

"The implementation of the National Security Law has strengthened people's confidence in the practice of 'one country, two systems' in Hong Kong," he said.

The central government has always valued Hong Kong's unique advantages of being backed by the motherland while being connected to the world, Huang said, adding that efforts have been made to help the city consolidate its position as an international financial, shipping and trade center and establish a free, open and regulated business environment.

In response to concerns that Hong Kong's connection with the world will be affected as it integrates with the mainland's COVID-19 prevention and control policies, Huang said that the SAR's efforts are not contradictory.

It's reasonable for the Hong Kong government to adjust and optimize its epidemic prevention policies according to actual situations in Hong Kong and the world, he added.