John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced on Tuesday that the HKSAR government launched a public consultation on the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR.

Lee made the announcement at a press conference on "Safeguarding National Security: Basic Law Article 23 Legislation Public Consultation" held at the HKSAR government headquarters.

Lee said legislation of Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law is something we need to do and have to do as soon as possible because the legislation is a constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR.

As Hong Kong has gone through the Hong Kong version of "color revolution" in 2019, people all understand the importance of national security, and that risks to national security are serious, real and can be unexpected, he said.

Also, as the geopolitical situation is getting more complicated, Lee said, Hong Kong must remedy this shortcoming as soon as possible.

Lee said the legislation proposes to adopt the following principles. First, the supreme principle of the "one country, two systems" policy is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Second, human rights should be respected and safeguarded and the rights and freedoms enjoyed in accordance with the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights applicable to the HKSAR, should be protected.

Third, acts and activities that endanger national security should be actively prevented and punished in accordance with the rule of law.

Paul Lam, secretary for justice of the HKSAR government, said at the press conference that without national security, residents cannot exercise their rights and freedoms, while their personal security and assets are threatened.

The legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR targets a very small number of people who endanger national security, and aims to better protect everyone's life, property, investment, rights and freedoms, Lam said.

Chris Tang, secretary for security of the HKSAR government, said at the press conference that the HKSAR government had made the proposal after taking into account relevant foreign laws, existing laws applicable to the HKSAR and the actual situation in the HKSAR.

The HKSAR government will make appropriate reference to the laws of other countries in safeguarding national security, but will not fully copy the laws of foreign countries into the legal system of the HKSAR, Tang said.

Lee said that he hopes to complete the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR at an early date, so that Hong Kong can focus on the economy and development as soon as possible and the public can share more economic dividends.

The public consultation lasts till Feb. 28, 2024.

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