New law to safeguard HK's future development

After years of discussions and anticipation, the Hong Kong Legislative Council finally passed the Safeguarding National Security Bill, as mandated by Article 23 of the Basic Law, on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the special administrative region. The new law promises to be an effective tool to prevent and punish acts endangering national security.

For more than three years since the implementation of the National Security Law, Hong Kong has remained calm. However, this outward tranquility does not mean Hong Kong is free from all national security threats. The ongoing case of media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying is a stark reminder of the underlying risks to national security and the importance of enacting such a piece of legislation as soon as possible. The new legislation will not only help maintain peace and stability in Hong Kong but also promote the city's prosperity.

The legislative process that enabled the passing of the Safeguarding National Security Bill enjoyed robust public support. Throughout the month-long public consultation that began on Jan 30, the government organized close to 30 meetings with representatives from various sectors of society to discuss and clarify the proposed legislation, addressing the concerns raised by the community. Out of 13,147 opinions received by the SAR government, a staggering 98.64 percent were in support of the new law, reflecting a broad consensus on the need for closing the national security loopholes.

Critics have been quick to characterize the LegCo's swift action on Article 23 as hasty. However, such criticism is unwarranted as the legislative work followed all the required procedures, and the deliberations were carried out with due diligence.

More important, when it comes to national security legislation, countries often act with urgency, without delay. For instance, within 21 days of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 on the United States, then US Attorney General John Ashcroft presented a draft bill to Congress to strengthen national security. The US security law, spanning 342 pages and including 156 sections, was enacted in just 45 days, without a single public hearing and with the House of Representatives needing only 10 days to deliberate on it. Compared with the process of passing the US security law, Hong Kong's approach to the legislative process was thorough and based on the legal cornerstone of the SAR, the Basic Law.

Safeguarding national security and passing laws based on Article 23 are a constitutional responsibility of the Hong Kong SAR, a responsibility that cannot be shirked. The 2019 violent protests against a proposed extradition bill, which many described as the "Hong Kong version of a color revolution", highlighted the urgent need for such legislation.

The riots and demonstrations not only posed a serious risk to national security but also created immense challenges for Hong Kong residents. The efficient cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of the SAR government helped overcome many obstacles to finalizing the draft bill, turning a new page in Hong Kong's development and fulfilling the aspirations of Hong Kong residents. Gratitude should be expressed to the Security Bureau and the related Bills Committee members for their tireless efforts in this regard.

With the solid legal framework for safeguarding national security in place, the Hong Kong government can now focus on boosting economic growth and improving Hong Kong residents' livelihoods and welfare, which would be a major step toward ensuring the SAR's stability and prosperity. This will further bolster Hong Kong's position as a global financial and logistics hub. Indeed, with the new law, "Asia's World City" is set to shine even brighter.

The passing of the Safeguarding National Security Bill is a testament to Hong Kong's commitment to stability and proof of Hong Kong society's resilience. Despite facing criticism, the SAR has taken a decisive step in a direction that it believes will safeguard its future development. With the whole world watching, Hong Kong is embarking on a path that it hopes will lead to a more secure and prosperous future for its residents.

The author is a convener at China Retold, and a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council as well as the Central Committee of the New People's Party. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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