HONG KONG - Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously voiced their support for the Safeguarding National Security Bill at its third reading on Tuesday. The proposed Safeguarding National Security Ordinance garnered 89 votes to zero after daylong consideration by committee of the whole council.
The assembly, one day ahead of the regular Wednesday meeting, was called by Legislative Council President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen to facilitate the legislation’s remaining legal procedures.
Shortly after the bill was passed, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in a rare departure, arrived at the LegCo to address the lawmakers, thanking them for their untiring contribution in heralding this historic moment
Shortly after the bill was passed, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in a rare departure, arrived at the LegCo to address the lawmakers, thanking them for their untiring contribution in heralding this historic moment.
Legislator Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, said the legislative work this time shoulders “greater responsibilities” compared with the unfulfilled task in 2003 — an enterprise she oversaw as secretary for security — and noted that she was pleased to see that Hong Kong has the chance to finally fulfill its constitutional duties.
Ip added that if the law had been enacted 21 years ago, she believed that the unlawful “Occupy Central” in 2014 would not have taken place.
Starry Lee Wai-king, chairperson of LegCo’s House Committee, said a national security law is important to every country in the world, and China is no exception.
Lee also emphasized the draft of the legislation made references to similar laws of many foreign jurisdictions with their unique characteristics.
Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, a lawmaker representing the catering industry, said that the bill would provide clear legal guidelines and strong protection for Hong Kong’s business community, which would be conducive to maintaining the city’s international business environment.
Cheung, who also engaged in considering the legislation in its bills committee, said he believes the legislation would bring the city together to focus on economic development.
Lawmaker Stanley Ng Chau-pei — who also helms Hong Kong’s largest labor union, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions — said the legislation is of “great importance, necessity and urgency”, as external anti-China forces are still eager to impede Hong Kong’s development.
Ng recalled that he and other members of the bills committee had worked day and night in a bid to scrutinize the legislation as swiftly as possible, and said he believes the entire legislature is united in supporting the passage of the bill.
Before Tuesday’s meeting, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki contacted all 90 lawmakers, saying he hoped they would vote in favor of the legislation, which would enable Hong Kong to fulfill a mission that had not been completed since its return to the motherland in 1997.
The HKSAR government had previously conducted a public consultation on the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, during which 98.6 percent of the views received showed support and gave positive comments, indicating that the legislation has strong popular support.
Source: China Daily [2024-03-19]
