HONG KONG - International businesses in Hong Kong see law and order as key for investing, a city government official said on Monday, in response to concern about the impact of the new National Security Law on the business environment.

READ MORE: National Security Law 'crucial' to restoring peace in Hong Kong

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah said in an interview at a Reuters Next conference that the fact that more money was coming into Hong Kong than leaving was a sign of confidence in the global financial hub.

“In any business, financial center in particular, people would look at things in totality. Law and order is one very important thing,” Yau said.

In any business, financial center in particular, people would look at things in totality. Law and order is one very important thing. 

Edward Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, HKSAR govt

Violent incidents have declined significantly in Hong Kong, and peace and stability have been gradually restored since the National Security Law took effect in June last year.

Yau also said the novel coronavirus pandemic was causing uncertainty and there was “no silver bullet” to solve it, even as the city planned to roll out vaccines later in the year.

Yau said it was not easy to say when plans for a “travel bubble” arrangement with Singapore might resume.

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The arrangement, allowing a limited number of passengers to fly both ways without having to quarantine was due to get going in November but was postponed indefinitely after an increase in coronavirus cases in Hong Kong.