Wang Chao (second right), spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
The National Security Law for Hong Kong is a “milestone” for "one country, two systems”, and the nation’s top legislature will continue to improve the practice and safeguard the special administrative region’s constitutional order, a spokesman for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress said on Saturday.
The remarks were made by Wang Chao at a press briefing in Beijing on the eve of the opening of the NPC session.
Since the National Security Law for the SAR took effect on June 30, 2020, the mechanisms for safeguarding national security have been constantly improved, and national security has been effectively safeguarded
He said since the National Security Law for the SAR took effect on June 30, 2020, the mechanisms for safeguarding national security have been constantly improved, and national security has been effectively safeguarded.
The law has also effectively safeguarded Hong Kong’s social order, rule of law, business environment, economic development and residents’ legitimate rights and freedoms. The overall situation in the city has turned from chaos to order, Wang said.
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He noted that a recent survey found that 75.7 percent of Hong Kong residents are satisfied with the implementation of the law. Last year, the NPC Standing Committee made an interpretation on some provisions of the law, clarifying the legal meaning of the provisions and the methods to resolve relevant national security issues.
Wang said the interpretation has helped to address practical problems arising from the NSL’s implementation properly and timely.
In the future, the NPC will continue to adhere to and improve the “one country two systems” principle, earnestly safeguard the HKSAR’s constitutional order as stipulated in the nation’s Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
Under the guiding principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”,the HKSAR elected the deputies to the 14th NPC in accordance with the law, said Wang.
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He believes the new-term deputies will continue to uphold the nation’s Constitution and the HKSAR’s Basic Law, and fully implement “one country, two systems”. He hopes they’ll firmly safeguard the nation’s core interests and actively contribute to the development of the SAR and the nation.