Panelists at two dialogue sessions held on Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong praised the legislation for striking a balance between the Chinese mainland’s legal system and Hong Kong’s common law practices, while emphasizing the significance of increasing the younger generation’s awareness about protecting national security.

The panel discussions were part of the 5th Anniversary of the Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum, organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

Addressing the forum before the panel sessions, Hong Kong’s secretary for justice, Paul Lam Ting-kwok, emphasized that safeguarding national security is a constitutional duty that requires sustained commitment.

He said the past five years have provided ample practical experience in implementing the law, making it an ideal time to assess how the NSL — crafted in accordance with mainland legal principles — aligns with Hong Kong’s common law system and local security legislation.

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The NSL was promulgated on June 30, 2020, by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the nation’s top legislative body.

Hong Kong must leverage its common law system to protect national security while reinforcing its role as a global hub for finance, trade, and shipping, Lam said.

In a separate speech, Yang Zhaoye, head of the research office of the Hong Kong and Macao Basic Laws committees under the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, highlighted the NSL’s scientific, democratic and lawful drafting process.

During the first panel discussion, which focused on the NSL’s role as a legal “great wall” to safeguard national security, Grenville Cross, a senior counsel and honorary law professor at the University of Hong Kong, credited the law with restoring order, protecting national security, and preserving the city’s autonomy under the “one country, two systems” principle.

In contrast to certain Western criticisms, Cross said the law has been successfully integrated into the SAR’s legal system, with careful enforcement that respects human rights and judicial independence.

Xiong Qiuhong, dean of the Procedural Law Research Institute at the China University of Political Science and Law, said that the NSL’s dual-legal-system features, including a two-track enforcement mechanism for national security cases, are innovative under “one country, two systems”. These features reflect both the central government’s overall jurisdiction and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, she said.

During the second panel discussions, Lam and youth leaders from various sectors shared insights on the crucial role of the younger generation in upholding national security.

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Panelists included Paris Olympic gold medalist fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai, Sai Kung District Council member Angel Chong Nga-ting, and actor Karl Ting Tze-long. They called on their young peers to nurture patriotism by deepening their understanding of national affairs and taking responsibility for safeguarding national security.

In the forum’s closing remarks, Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan said the event had maintained its depth while engaging residents of all ages — particularly with active participation from young attendees.

He underscored the intergenerational duty of safeguarding national security, urging society to uphold this responsibility for the future.

Cheung also said that over the past five years, the SAR has built a solid legal foundation to protect national security. By staying vigilant to potential threats, aligning with national progress and strengthening international collaboration, Hong Kong’s future remains promising, he said.

Contact the writers at lilei@chinadailyhk.com