Published: 13:31, February 10, 2026 | Updated: 13:47, February 10, 2026
White paper on national security serves as 'spring thunder'
By Yang Sheng

As Western politicians, media outlets and organizations maliciously attacked the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's judicial system in the immediate aftermath of former media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's conviction and sentencing for national security offenses, the white paper on safeguarding national security in the SAR — released by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday — hit global headlines, serving as the most powerful rebuttal to those spewing politically-driven nonsense against Hong Kong.      

The white paper — Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems — strikes at the core of the myths deliberately fabricated by Western anti-China forces in their attempt to shape the international narrative on Hong Kong, its national security regime, and its judicial system. The narrative constructed by those China-hostile forces is intended to disguise their blatant interference in Hong Kong's judicial operations and to sustain the operation of their political pawns in the city, with the ultimate of aim of advancing their geopolitical strategy against China by turning the SAR into a pawn.

The white paper sets the record straight by clearing up confusion, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations surrounding the issue of safeguarding China's national security in the HKSAR. It highlights the central government's fundamental responsibility for affairs concerning national security in the city, as part of the central government's comprehensive jurisdiction over Hong Kong, as enshrined in the Basic Law and authorized by the nation's Constitution. It also underscores the HKSAR's constitutional responsibility for safeguarding national security by adopting whatever measures that are necessary under the same constitutional order.

The white paper also reiterates the central government's determination to protect China's national interests, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, and uninterrupted development, by throwing its weight behind the HKSAR in coping with national security risks and challenges.

People who love and care about Hong Kong will no doubt find the white paper reassuring. It is hoped that it will alert China-hostile forces to the reality that there is no chance for them in Hong Kong — in the same way a spring thunder awakens all hibernating creatures.  

The author is a current affairs commentator.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.