Vice-premier urges HK delegates to offer full support for local security law

Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, attends a joint group meeting of political advisors from special administrative regions (SARs) of Hong Kong and Macao at the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region should prioritize the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, fulfilling its urgent and necessary responsibility and historical mission, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang told the national political advisers from Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Ding, who is also the head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, made the comments during his meeting with about 200 Hong Kong and Macao members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee — the nation’s top political advisory body — in Beijing.

According to those in attendance, the vice-premier called for full support from the local delegates for the legislation. He acknowledged the endeavors of the HKSAR government and praised Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu for demonstrating “historical responsibility”.

The HKSAR government has pledged to enact local legislation aiming at prohibiting a series of acts that endanger national security this year, according to Article 23 of the Basic Law.

READ MORE: Article 23: HK mulls higher penalty for foreign collusion

The public consultation on the legislation, which concluded on Feb 28, received overwhelming support from local and international communities, with 98.58 percent of the 13,000 responses expressing approval.

Eliza Chan Ching-har, a national political adviser, said Ding has highlighted the social consensus in Hong Kong regarding the legislation and its speedy implementation.

Ding reiterated the central government’s firm support for the HKSAR, including its common law system, said Chan, who is also a solicitor and Hong Kong’s Executive Council member.

Irons Sze Wing-wai, a national political adviser and a business leader, said Ding stressed the legislation’s vital importance and called for vigilance among the HKSAR delegates against foreign forces attempting to disrupt order amid the complex international situation.

Ding also encouraged members from the two SARs to play an active role in economic development, improving people’s livelihoods, and promoting the cities’ integration into the nation’s overall development, said Pansy Ho Chiu-king, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee who runs businesses in Hong Kong and Macao.

Henry Tan, a national political adviser and business leader, said that Ding called on the Hong Kong community to leverage the city’s strengths to meet the nation’s needs and participate in the national development plans, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Tan said he believed these efforts will be conducive to Hong Kong’s own development.

Adviser Teng Jinguang, who is also president of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, said the vice-premier reiterated his confidence in and support for Hong Kong. Ding said that the city’s prospects lie in the successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle, maintaining its international characteristics such as its reputation as a well-established financial center, and focusing on developing the economy.

ALSO READ: HK govt slams Bloomberg's Article 23 reportage, calls it false

Leung Chun-ying, a vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and a former Hong Kong chief executive, said Ding’s remarks demonstrate the central government’s care for the two SARs and affirmation of the “one country, two systems” principle.

The meeting, held as part of the two sessions agenda, discussed the Government Work Report of the State Council delivered at the opening of the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress — the nation’s top legislature — on Tuesday, and the work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered on Monday.

Those attending the meeting included Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Edmund Ho Hau-wah, a vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

Contact the writers at lindaxi@chinadailyhk.com