Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks to the media ahead of an Executive Council meeting on Feb 6, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – Various local organizations had expressed their support for the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, with some pointing out that a rigorous and stable legal base was “the element of success” for Hong Kong, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said he would personally chair a briefing session in the afternoon to explain the upcoming legislation to foreign diplomatic missions and chambers of commerce.

“All economic and social activities have to be conducted with the support of a stable society. We want to ensure investment and sound business environment so that Hong Kong can continue to be a competitive international city,” he said while stressing the need for such a legislation.

All economic and social activities have to be conducted with the support of a stable society. We want to ensure investment and sound business environment so that Hong Kong can continue to be a competitive international city.

John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive

On Jan 30, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government launched a month-long public consultation to enact a new security ordinance in order to address national security risks. The consultations on enacting the proposed “Safeguarding National Security Ordinance” will end on Feb 28.

Talking about the consultation on Tuesday, the CE said the city’s justice and security chiefs had organized a number of briefing sessions for various sectors, including two legal professional bodies, financial sectors as well as District Councilors and district care teams, he said.

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“I have met with a number of local bodies, including local chambers of commerce, which expressed their support for the legislation.”

“There is a general consensus in our society that the legislation of Article 23 needs to be completed as soon as possible,” he said, adding that the government will continue to conduct briefing sessions and welcome views from residents.

Cross-boundary transportation during holiday

Regarding the arrangements for cross-border transportations during the Lunar New Year holiday, Lee said Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki convened a cross-departmental meeting on Monday to discuss measures for large-scale events and special holidays.

In this file photo dated April 1, 2023, immigration officers check travel permits of commuters at the Lo Wu Control Point. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Police, the Transport Department and other government bodies will announce the relevant details on Wednesday, he said.

Shenzhen Bay Port will operate round the clock from Feb 9 (Lunar New Year’s Eve) to Feb 13, while Lo Wu Port will extend its service hours by 2 hours on Feb 9 and Feb 11, to ensure smooth cross-boundary travels, he added.

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On anticipation that a number of residents and travelers will use cross-boundary checkpoints during the holiday, the authorities will deploy more manpower and adjust transportation arrangements according to the actual situations, said the CE.