When the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region puts in place systemic safeguards for national security, it gets more leeway in the practice of "one country, two systems", said Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Addressing an online seminar on Monday organized to mark the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, Zhang said with such leeway, the SAR could thrive again through making the most of the advantages brought by "one country, two systems" principle.

No matter what is in store for Hong Kong or what external forces may have up their sleeves, the NPC Standing Committee will complete the legislation in accordance with legal procedures and ensure its enforcement in the SAR, Zhang Xiaoming said

The central government will also offer stronger support to the city after the national security law's enactment, including financial support to buttress its status as an international finance center, Zhang said.

No matter what is in store for Hong Kong or what external forces may have up their sleeves, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will complete the legislation in accordance with legal procedures and ensure its enforcement in the SAR, he said.

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In closing his speech, Zhang said with the national security law in place, the practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong will get "antivirus" protection and operate in a more secure, orderly and lasting manner.

Also at the webinar, Zhang Yong, vice-chairman of the Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, underlined the importance of national security for a country.

Zhang Yong said that safeguarding national security is the top priority for the central government and a fundamental obligation for every local government.

Hong Kong, however, hasn't had any law to safeguard national security since its return to China in 1997 and lacked related enforcement mechanisms, he said.

Given that the Hong Kong SAR has such a legal loophole, which exposed some new risks and problems related to the safeguarding of national security in recent years, Zhang Yong said the central government cannot turn a blind eye to the issues. Otherwise it would be a dereliction of duty, he said.

In opening remarks for the seminar, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the proposed national security law is an effective way to enhance the implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle in the SAR.

READ MORE: CE: Proposed law to enhance 'one country, two systems'

She expressed her confidence that the city will become safe and stable again with the enactment of the law.

Pledging that the SAR government will spare no effort in facilitating the legislative process, Lam encouraged Hong Kong people to actively express their views during the process.

Over the past weekend, the central authorities, including the liaison office in the SAR, began documenting the views of people from Hong Kong on how the proposed national security law should be framed and how it should be put into practice.

The proposed law is being drafted by the NPC Standing Committee. It proscribes secession, subversion, terrorism and external interference in the affairs of the Hong Kong SAR.