Lam: Central govt to heed opinions from more HK sectors on security law

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Wednesday said the central government will widely collect suggestions from Hong Kong society on the proposed national security law for the city.

Lam urged the community to voice their opinions on the proposed law, and pledged to relay the opinions to the central governments in a timely manner.

She made the remarks after offering views on the proposed law to the central government in a three-hour meeting in Beijing. Lam was accompanied by Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu and Commissioner of Police Tang Ping-keung.

Lam said the central government plans to collect more opinions from Hong Kong society, such as other SAR government officials, the president of Hong Kong's legislature and legal experts, as well as the deputies to the National People's Congress and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee from the city.

It will also invite cross-sector representatives from Hong Kong to discuss the issue via seminars in Shenzhen and Beijing, Lam said.

Vice-Premier Han Zheng, Director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Xia Baolong and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi participated in the meeting.

Lam said the international community and some foreign governments have been adopting blatant double standards.

"It is within the legitimate jurisdiction of any country to enact laws to protect and safeguard national security. The United States is no exception. The United Kingdom is no exception. So why should they object, resist or even condemn and take sanctions against Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China for taking similar actions?" she asked.

"We are operating in accordance with the Basic Law. The Basic Law provides for 'one country, two systems'. The important pillar in this 'one country, two systems' is one country. Without one country, there [are] no two systems," she added.

"Hong Kong people's confidence lies in 'one country, two systems' and all the strengths and competitive advantages of Hong Kong. It does not lie in what individual foreign governments have to say about Hong Kong," Lam said.