Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday presented the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance to the Task Force on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation for its contribution to help complete the mission to enact the law.

"The award-winning team, the Task Force on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation, stood out from a crowd of nominations and is the role model for civil servants," the chief executive said while addressing a ceremony to present the award certificate.

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The task force comprised of the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau, and the Hong Kong Police Force.

As the expectations and demands of the community towards the government have continuously grown, the entire civil service is facing more new challenges.

John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive, HKSAR

The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was unanimously passed by the Legislative Council on March 19 and took effect on March 23.

By completing the legislation, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region fulfilled its constitutional responsibility that it had been waiting for 26 years, eight months and 19 days.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the chief executive said the cross-departmental task force was highly efficient and professional, holding a strong belief in the necessity and urgency of enacting local legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law, and that the sooner the enactment of the legislation the better.

The task force had worked at full steam and with wholehearted commitment, demonstrating the team's resolute determination in safeguarding national security and implementing the "one country, two systems" principle for the HKSAR to make glorious history, he said.

Lee also pointed out that the civil service is an integral part of the SAR’s governance system and the key for a capable government that can deliver results.

"As the expectations and demands of the community towards the government have continuously grown, the entire civil service is facing more new challenges."

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"They have to execute policies effectively and provide quality service, and shoulder the grave responsibilities of safeguarding national security and ensure social stability at the same time," he added.

Apollonia Liu Lee Ho-kei, representative of the task force and the then deputy secretary for security, said it was an honor for the team to have the opportunity to take part in the legislative work, which is of historical significance.

She thanked the CE for affirming their efforts as well as all the officers who had taken part in the legislative work, adding that the smooth completion of the legislation was an outcome of the united and concerted efforts of the entire HKSAR government, LegCo and the whole community.