The State Council Information Office held a press conference about the law of safeguarding national security in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning. Here are the highlights:
Shen Chunyao, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, speaks at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on the national security law for Hong Kong. In Beijing, on July 1, 2020. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Views from Shen Chunyao, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee
- Law will safeguard national security, plug loopholes in Hong Kong legal system
- Imperative to establish, improve legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security
- 5 major principles identified in proceeding with work on the law
- Collected multiple views and opinions during drafting and review processes
- Adjusted normal procedure of work to speed up legislation
- Law reflects broad consensus, views and aspirations of entire Chinese nation
- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) still has duty to enact legislation to safeguard national security
- Jurisdiction will be exercised on a small number of offences that seriously jeopardize national security
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Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, speaks during a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on the national security law for Hong Kong. In Beijing, on July 1, 2020. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Views from Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office
- Law marks milestone in advancing "one country, two systems"
- Law is a step to improving China's governance system
- Legislation will serve as a guardian of prosperity and stability in Hong Kong
- Goal is to uphold, advance "one country, two systems" instead of changing the practice
- Some Western politicians make unwarranted accusations with misrepresentation of "one country, two systems"
- Central government will set up office for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong
- Acts of the central office will not be subject to jurisdiction of Hong Kong SAR
- Central office will only exercise its jurisdiction on 3 specific occasions
- People with different political views and positions will continue to exist in Hong Kong
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