Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor speaks at the National Security Law Legal Forum "Thrive with Security" in Hong Kong, May 28, 2022. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong must further strengthen its ability to protect national security as the current situation remains “grave and complex”, with local and external forces continuously plotting to disrupt the SAR’s hard-earned peace and order, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Saturday.   

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she hopes the next HKSAR administration will further promote civil servants’ awareness of national security and deepen their understanding of the security situation to enable them to meet the challenges ahead

She made the remarks at a high-level legal forum, centered on the importance of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, held to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to the motherland.

The event was held two years after the National People’s Congress – the nation’s top legislature – adopted a decision to improve Hong Kong's capability in safeguarding national security. The National Security Law for Hong Kong was drafted according to the decision and enacted in the city on June 30, 2020.

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Lam said the National Security Law, which has been implemented in Hong Kong with unprecedented efficiency, has played a paramount role in restoring the city’s law and order in the past two years.

But, she said enforcing the law is still at an early stage and the security situation remains challenging. She hopes the next HKSAR administration will further promote civil servants’ awareness of national security and deepen their understanding of the security situation to enable them to meet the challenges ahead.

Wang Linggui, deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, said the National Security Law for Hong Kong has safeguarded the city’s constitutional order and laid a solid legal foundation for its future development

Wang Linggui, deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, said the National Security Law for Hong Kong has safeguarded the city’s constitutional order and laid a solid legal foundation for its future development.Refuting smearing campaigns against the law, Wang said in the past two years, Hong Kong’s rule of law index is still among the world’s best, and the number of foreign investments is rising steadily.

Luo Yonggang, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, told the forum the National Security Law for Hong Kong has effectively safeguarded the city’s safety, stability and the smooth practice of “one country, two systems”.

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He noted that as of May 24 this year, Hong Kong police have arrested 187 people suspected of endangering national security. So far, 88 people and four companies have been prosecuted for related offenses, with eight of them convicted.

The effectiveness of the National Security Law for Hong Kong has proven that the law is the fundamental solution for protecting national security and maintaining lasting prosperity in the city, said Zheng Yanxiong, head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR

Luo stressed that stability has always been the prerequisite and guarantee for Hong Kong’s social development, saying the SAR must firmly implement the National Security Law to create a more stable social environment.

Zheng Yanxiong, head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, told the forum that the effectiveness of the National Security Law for Hong Kong has proven that the law is the fundamental solution for protecting national security and maintaining lasting prosperity in the city.

Warning of the many existing risks and hidden dangers, Zheng said Hong Kong must firmly uphold the rule of law when addressing all issues concerning national security.

He said the Office for Safeguarding National Security will fully support the HKSAR government in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities to safeguard national security and further improve the related legal system.

The forum also featured panel discussions about the prospects of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, how to further improve the SAR’s laws to protect national security, and how to deal with new national security threats.