Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok (second from left), Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung (second from right), and lawmakers pose for a photo after the Legislative Council's Bills Committee on Safeguarding National Security Bill has completed the review of the draft of Basic Law Article 23 legislation on March 14, 2024. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Senior Hong Kong officials said the new national security law has given the city more tools to counter possible foreign sanctions, warning the closure of Hong Kong’s oversea trade offices would be “foolish”.
The city’s justice chief and security chief paired up to attend a radio program on Monday morning, stating their views on the possible sanctions by some Western countries over the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which was enacted in Hong Kong on Saturday.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said he has been sanctioned by the United States for quite a long time but is still “in one piece” — and it has not affected him
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said he would not be surprised if some foreign politicians make unfriendly maneuvers against the city’s new national security ordinance.
In response, he said government has plans and sufficient capabilities to counter such sanctions, adding that the ordinance even enriches the authorities’ toolbox for tackling such hostile action. But he said the countermeasures cannot be revealed to the public given the complicated geopolitical situation.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said he has been sanctioned by the United States for quite a long time but is still “in one piece” — and it has not affected him.
Tang also warned that any attempts to close Hong Kong’s overseas Economic and Trade Offices would harm the country concerned, and such decisions would be “foolish”.
In November, the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act, which targets the functions of the city’s overseas trade offices and may lead to the removal of the privileges the offices enjoy, or even their closure.
Currently, Hong Kong has 14 overseas trade offices, including three in the US.
Lam stressed that the national security ordinance only targets a small number of people who have adverse intentions, adding that residents are free to advise the government.
Tang added that the government will continue the legislation’s explanatory work concerning the new security ordinance.
