HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's government reiterated that nothing in the proposed national security law will jeopardize the “one country, two systems” principle or erode the institutions that underpin Hong Kong’s success as an international city, including the rule of law and an independent judiciary, among others.

“All of the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people and international investors will remain unchanged,” a spokesman for the government said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

The national security law will ensure that Hong Kong does not become a base for subversion and instability, but rather a safe, stable and welcoming city for people from all over the world.

 Spokesman, HKSAR govt

The statement was issued in response to a May 26 statement by the US Chamber of Commerce on the national security law, and a similar statement by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong on May 22.

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The spokesman said that a draft decision to introduce national security legislation for the HKSAR is under deliberation at the National People’s Congress during its ongoing annual session.

It is unhelpful to speculate on the content of the national security legislation or spread rumors and fear about a law to safeguard national security, which is within the purview of the state, the spokesman said.     

“It is therefore unhelpful at this stage to speculate on the content of the legislation or spread rumors and fear about a law to safeguard national security, which as in any other country, is within the purview of the state,” according to the statement.

As stipulated in the draft decision, the proposed law only targets acts of secession, subverting state power, organizing and carrying out terrorist activities, as well as activities interfering with the HKSAR’s internal affairs by foreign or external forces.

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 “The vast majority of law-abiding Hong Kong residents, including overseas investors, have nothing to fear,” the spokesman said. 

The government emphasized that the national security law will ensure that Hong Kong does not become a base for subversion and instability, but rather a safe, stable and welcoming city for people from all over the world.

“Any unilateral change of US policy towards Hong Kong would create a negative impact on relations between the two sides as well as harm the US’ own interests,” the spokesman added.