Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok speaks at the Law Society of Hong Kong's "Forum on Doing Business in Hong Kong in a Rapidly Changing World" on July 11, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Hong Kong legal heavyweights on Tuesday highlighted the need to safeguard national security in Hong Kong, stating the National Security Law for Hong Kong (NSL) shields national sovereignty from threats and provides a stable social environment that benefits international companies and entrepreneurs doing business in the city.

They made their remarks at a legal forum themed “Doing Business in Hong Kong in a Rapidly Changing World”. The event, organized by the Law Society of Hong Kong, brought together over 20 speakers from the legal and business sectors, as well as representatives from government bodies and academic institutions, to share their insights on Hong Kong’s unique strengths and opportunities that can consolidate the city’s status as an international business hub.

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Addressing the event, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok emphasized that Hong Kong boasts a transparent and independent judicial system and a business-friendly environment.

The narratives of Hong Kong by foreign media are, most of the time, negative, untrue and unfair, said Paul Lam

However, to maintain such a favored environment, Lam cautioned that Hong Kong should never overlook any potential threats to national security.

He reiterated that implementing the NSL is not only to safeguard national sovereignty, but also to create a more stable and peaceful environment that is conducive to business development and attractive to people who wish to visit, work, and live in Hong Kong.

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He noted that many jurisdictions around the world, including the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, have their own national security law in place. The narratives of Hong Kong by foreign media are, most of the time, negative, untrue and unfair, Lam said. 

Lam also noted that as of July 7, only 30 people have been sentenced or are waiting to be sentenced for the national security crimes for the past three years, which is a very small number compared to the city's population of seven million. 

He emphasized that people involved in ordinary business activities in Hong Kong have no reason to worry about the NSL as the reasons behind law enforcements involving the NSL have been made clear to the public.

The day-long event included discussion sessions highlighting the NSL, the opportunities provided by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Hong Kong's legal and financial services.

Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan, deputy secretary for justice of Hong Kong SAR, emphasized that the NSL, which came into effect on June 30, 2020, has rapidly restored stability and security in the city. The law also provides a secure environment for business enterprises and investors to flourish, he said.

Cheung said the enactment of the NSL is in line with the international practice of safeguarding national security and the sovereign rights of each state.

He added that Hong Kong's legal system and rule of law remain robust, providing quality and reliable legal support for international trade and investment.

Grenville Cross, a senior counsel and former director of public prosecutions of the HKSAR, said that the implementation of the NSL has not affected the fundamental principles of criminal justice in Hong Kong.

National security trials in the city are also fairly conducted along traditional lines, Cross said.