Hong Kong's National Security Law a reference for Macao

Macao officials and scholars said Friday the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong has provided an important reference for Macao to better its legal system on safeguarding national security and maintaining social stability.

They made the remarks after attending a high-level seminar simultaneously held in Beijing, Hong Kong and Macao to mark the one-year anniversary of the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

Xia Baolong, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the top-level central government body overseeing Hong Kong and Macao affairs, made a speech at the seminar.

Wong Sio-chak, the city's Secretary for Security, said the first anniversary of the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong is of far-reaching significance, and can serve as a reference for Macao.

Macao's national security law was passed by its legislature in February 2009, as required by Article 23 of the city's Basic Law. To date, no one has been arrested under the legislation.

Wong said in recent years, the Macao SAR government has carried out legislative work to strengthen cyber-security and exit-entry border inspection.

Lok Wai-kin, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies and a law professor at the University of Macau, said the city should learn from Hong Kong's experience in safeguarding national security, and further strengthen the responsibility of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security in the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Gary Chao, president of the Macao New Chinese Youth Association, said the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong has effectively restored Hong Kong's stability, which benefited the development of young people in the whole region.