Public support for national security legislation has been growing since the National People’s Congress (NPC) passed a decision late last month authorizing its Standing Committee to enact a law designed specifically to plug national security loopholes in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. For example, a random public-opinion poll by phone, conducted by the Hong Kong Social Sciences and Public Opinion Poll Centre on behalf of the Bauhinia Academy on June 6-8, found 67.4 percent of the 1,366 respondents agree that Hong Kong is obligated to contribute to national security, and 55.4 percent of them understand the need for the NPC to take that step.

The latest poll results are yet more proof that most Hong Kong residents welcome a law of this nature to help ensure the city’s social stability and prosperity as well as boosting its role in strengthening national security

The latest poll results are yet more proof that most Hong Kong residents welcome a law of this nature to help ensure the city’s social stability and prosperity as well as boosting its role in strengthening national security. The opinion poll also shows 57.2 percent of respondents agree that separatists in Hong Kong have teamed up with external hostile forces in using Hong Kong as a forward base for anti-China campaigns aimed at obstructing the peaceful development of the Chinese nation, including its sacred goal of ultimate national reunification, at Hong Kong’s expense. The latest poll is another resounding slap in the face to those biased media trying desperately to keep the opposition camp and its supporters from losing heart, if they had one to begin with.

Quite a few of the prominent figures from the opposition camp have spoken publicly to distance themselves from the separatist factions, who have been at the forefront of the violent campaign known as the “black revolution”. But the extremists refuse to accept the political reality and continue with their futile effort. As quarantine measures are gradually lifted in Hong Kong, the pro-independence forces are clamoring about resuming illegal activities in the name of “basic rights” and “freedoms”, which they claim would be taken away by the proposed national security law. Of course, they speak for no one but themselves on this issue, as multiple recent opinion polls, including the one mentioned above, have shown that most local residents do not agree with them. Truth is, their criminal acts in the past year have grossly trampled numerous local residents’ and visitors’ human rights and freedoms. The new law targets only a small number of extremists who pose a threat to national security with their illegal acts; it will in no way restrain residents’ rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law.

The extremists have, without fail, carried out all of their illegal activities including months of violent rampages, under the guise of “rights”, “freedom” or “democracy”.  But their favorite fig leaves can no longer cover their lawlessness and treacherous souls.