Carrie Lam Supports Hong Kong Security Law: "Does Not Harm Hong Kong's Freedom or Status"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] As the vote on the "Hong Kong National Security Law" (Hong Kong Security Law) is set to take place at the National People's Congress (NPC) on the 28th, Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, has stepped in to directly support the legislation amid growing opposition within Hong Kong.

At a press briefing held in Hong Kong on the 26th, Chief Executive Lam defended China's push to enact the Hong Kong Security Law. She said, "We do not need to worry too much," adding, "Over the past 23 years, whenever people have worried about Hong Kong's freedoms, Hong Kong has proven it can protect and preserve them. The Hong Kong Security Law will not infringe upon Hong Kong's freedoms and rights."

She explained, "It is absurd to say that the Hong Kong Security Law will damage Hong Kong's international status because many Western democratic countries also have such laws," and added, "The Hong Kong Security Law is being promoted at the national level and aims to improve the Hong Kong Basic Law."

She further stated, "This bill targets a small number of lawbreakers and can protect the majority of residents who abide by the law and love peace," and added, "There is no contradiction between the Hong Kong Security Law and the Hong Kong Basic Law as some claim. It does not violate the Hong Kong Basic Law."

Earlier, John Lee, Hong Kong Secretary for Security, along with the heads of law enforcement sectors including police, fire services, customs, immigration, and correctional services, issued a joint statement strongly supporting the Hong Kong Security Law as necessary for restoring order and stability in Hong Kong. Additionally, Tung Chee-hwa, the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong, also voiced support, arguing that the Hong Kong Security Law is needed to block conspiracies by Western anti-China forces.

However, opposition to China's enactment of the Hong Kong Security Law is strong within Hong Kong. Thousands of citizens took to the streets last weekend to protest against the law, and a large-scale demonstration is also planned for the 27th, the day before the vote on the legislation.

The Hong Kong Bar Association has raised questions about the legal legitimacy of the Hong Kong Security Law. In a statement released the previous day, the Hong Kong Bar Association pointed out, "If the NPC directly enacts the Hong Kong Security Law, it will raise several legal issues that violate the Basic Law, which is Hong Kong's de facto constitution." They also argued, "Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law stipulates that Hong Kong people themselves should enact the national security law, so the NPC does not have the legal authority to enact the Hong Kong Security Law."

On the afternoon of the 28th, when the NPC session concludes, the draft of the Hong Kong Security Law will be put to a vote at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. At the NPC opening ceremony on the 22nd, the draft was introduced, which prohibits and punishes foreign forces' interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs, acts of secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and establishes institutions in Hong Kong to enforce these provisions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.