Forum boosts understanding of HK National Security Law

HONG KONG - A high-level online forum aimed at deepening Hong Kong residents' understanding of the SAR's National Security Law kicked off in the city on Monday.

The one-day event brought together leading local and international legal experts to discuss the application and interpretation of the security law, which has been in force in Hong Kong for more than a year.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, along with other senior officials of the central and HKSAR governments, officiated at the opening ceremony.

During the opening ceremony, Lam said the effect of the National Security Law on restoring order in the city is "obvious" and "indisputable".

"The fact and data from the past year showed accusations regarding the law are groundless. They only highlighted the critics' hypocrisy, bias and double standards."

With leading experts' analysis during the forum, Hong Kong society can better understand the law, she said.

Chen Dong, deputy chief of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, said the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong has filled the loopholes of SAR's mechanism in safeguarding national security, serving as a strong deterrent for anti-China forces.

The law has gained its ground among the general public, as a comprehensive national security education was rolled out in the past year which helped enhance the public's awareness and sense of responsibility in safeguarding national security, he pointed out.

Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, stressed in his speech that safeguarding national security in Hong Kong is a bottom line that the country will never yield an inch in the course of the nation's rejuvenation.

Safeguarding national security is a fundamental premise of ensuring the steady and long-term development of "one country, two systems", according to him.

Noting the central government's determination to safeguard national security, the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unshakable, he said individuals or forces who attempt to cross the bottom line can only disgrace themselves.

He pledged that the office will continue to perform its duty with more effective legal means and resolute determination, and cooperate with the SAR authorities to safeguard national security and the implementation of "one country, two systems".

Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said the National Security Law has played a vital role in safeguarding the "one country, two systems" policy, and countering foreign interference in Hong Kong.

"Supporting the National Security Law is to protect Hong Kong's unique status and strength, to embrace the development opportunities of the HKSAR and China, and to safeguard and promote the interests of foreign countries in Hong Kong," he said.

Six prominent guests will deliver keynote speeches. They include Yang Wanming, justice and vice-president of the Supreme People's Court; Zhang Yong, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress; and Henry Litton, former permanent judge of Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal.

Other scholars will share their views at three panel discussions. They will examine the substantive and procedural aspects of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, and present a comparative study of the national security laws of other jurisdictions.