A secure environment is the cornerstone of development, prosperity and investor confidence, a fact more obvious under current geopolitical tensions, representatives from Hong Kong-based foreign diplomatic missions and commercial chambers said on Tuesday.
They made their remarks after attending a briefing session on a recently released white paper outlining Hong Kong’s efforts to safeguard national security, which was organized by the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
On Feb 10, the State Council Information Office published a white paper titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems.” Consisting of five parts, in addition to a preface and a conclusion, the white paper details the unrelenting fight to safeguard national security in Hong Kong and the central government's fundamental responsibility for national security matters concerning the city.
At Tuesday’s session, Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR, gave a briefing on key points in the white paper’s five chapters to over 70 representatives from foreign consular missions, chambers of commerce, international organizations and media outlets based in Hong Kong.
Cui said the white paper has profound meaning for guarding the high-quality development of “one country, two systems”, and also outlines the central government's responsibility and Hong Kong's constitutional duty to maintain security.
With high-standard security safeguards, Hong Kong will overcome all kinds of risks and challenges, achieving lasting peace, stability and long-term prosperity, Cui said, adding that a safe and open Hong Kong serves the fundamental interests of the nation, the well-being of Hong Kong residents, and the interests of foreign investors.
After the session, Consul General of Pakistan in Hong Kong Riaz Ahmed Shaikh said, for any region or country, security is linked with development, progress and prosperity.
Shaikh said since the enactment of the Hong Kong SAR National Security Law, the city’s security situation has improved, and external investment has remained thriving.
David Whitwam, chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, said for businesses investing or trading in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, understanding national security is of vital importance. He said the briefing would help international commercial chambers understand national security from China’s perspective when formulating their business plans.
Inaki Amate, vice-chair of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, said the unstable global environment has enhanced the importance of national security. He expressed his hope that the world will return to normalcy soon.
Tuesday also marked the Lantern Festival, which the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region marked with a music recital, a video introducing the festival and traditional food, including tangyuan (Chinese glutinous rice balls), after the briefing.
