China releases white paper on Hong Kong's efforts in safeguarding national security under One Country, Two Systems framework

BEIJING -- China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled "Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems."

Consisting of five parts in addition to a preface and a conclusion, the white paper details the unrelenting fight for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and the central government's fundamental responsibility for national security matters concerning Hong Kong.

It also expounds on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s achievements in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility for safeguarding national security, Hong Kong's transition from disorder to stability and prosperity, and efforts in creating high-standard security for high-quality development of the One Country, Two Systems policy.

The Communist Party of China Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has fully, faithfully, and resolutely implemented the policy of One Country, Two Systems, emphasizing that the highest principle of the policy is to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, according to the white paper.

The white paper says that the central government has applied a holistic approach to national security, and effectively exercised overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR in accordance with the country's Constitution and the HKSAR's Basic Law. It has enacted the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region -- which has been enforced in the region -- and ensured that Hong Kong is administered by patriots.

The central government supports the HKSAR in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security by effectively preventing, halting, and punishing any activities that endanger national security, according to the white paper.

Hong Kong's endeavors to safeguard national security are, at their core, efforts to uphold and advance the One Country, Two Systems policy, protect the fundamental human rights, dignity, and wellbeing of Hong Kong's 7.5 million residents, and promote world peace and development, according to the white paper.

In today's world, global transformation on a scale unseen in a century is accelerating, and the development environment facing China is undergoing profound and complex change. Safeguarding national security is a long-term and enduring task, the white paper says.

The central government firmly supports the HKSAR in fully and faithfully implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems, shouldering its constitutional responsibility for safeguarding national security, and continuously strengthening its national security shield, to ensure steady and sustained progress in the One Country, Two Systems practice with high-standard security, according to the white paper.

Hong Kong, enjoying high-standard security, is bound to overcome all risks and challenges on the journey forward, and remain as steady as a rock in a turbulent world, the white paper says.

Under such a condition, Hong Kong will achieve long-term peace, stability, and prosperity. It will also fully leverage the strengths of One Country, Two Systems, and better integrate into and contribute to China's overall development, the white paper adds.