Li Ka-chao: Fully support and welcome the White Paper on Hong Kong's Maintenance of National Security under the Principle of "One Country, Two Systems".

On February 10, the State Council Information Office released a white paper titled "Practice of Hong Kong Safeguarding National Security under 'One Country, Two Systems'". The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, John Lee Ka-chiu, expressed a warm welcome and full support for the release of the white paper by the central government. He stated that as the leader of the SAR, he will lead and coordinate the SAR's administration, legislature, and judiciary to fulfill the content and requirements of the white paper, and fully safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The white paper pointed out that the central government has always firmly defended national sovereignty, security, and development interests, maintaining long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong from the inception of the scientific concept of "One Country, Two Systems" to the full implementation of the policy. The white paper elaborated on how Hong Kong's struggle to safeguard national security has never ceased, with the central government bearing fundamental responsibility for national security affairs related to Hong Kong, the SAR earnestly fulfilling its constitutional duty to safeguard national security, Hong Kong transitioning from chaos to governance and then to prosperity, and maintaining high-level security to support the high-quality development of "One Country, Two Systems." Firstly, the white paper clarified that Hong Kong's struggle to safeguard national security has never stopped. After the handover, Hong Kong's failure to legislate Article 23 of the Basic Law for a long time left room for anti-China forces and external hostile forces to exploit. This led to the anti-extradition protests escalating into violent riots, advocating for "Hong Kong independence" and challenging the bottom line of "One Country, Two Systems." John Lee Ka-chiu expressed deep sentiments about this, mentioning the turmoil faced in previous years and emphasizing the importance of remembering the painful experiences and lessons learned in 2019. Secondly, the white paper emphasized that the central government holds fundamental responsibility for national security affairs related to Hong Kong. Safeguarding national security is a matter of central authority, and it is an international norm for central governments to legislate for national security. With Hong Kong facing severe challenges in safeguarding national security and being unable to legislate on its own, the central government exercised constitutional power to legislate for the city from a national perspective. The measures taken, such as implementing the National Security Law in Hong Kong and improving the electoral system, effectively safeguarded national security, upheld the SAR's constitutional order, and dealt a heavy blow to anti-China forces, playing a decisive role in ending violence and chaos and transitioning from chaos to governance, a significant milestone in the practice of "One Country, Two Systems." John Lee Ka-chiu expressed support and gratitude for the central government's decisive actions in Hong Kong, introducing the National Security Law from a national perspective and implementing it within the SAR. The National Security Law closed loopholes in national security that existed in Hong Kong since the handover, putting an end to the violent riots that plagued the city for years. The SAR government worked tirelessly to combat activities that threatened national security, allowing society to return to order and citizens to resume their daily lives and economic activities. Thirdly, the white paper highlighted the SAR's commitment to fulfilling its constitutional duty in safeguarding national security. Since the implementation of the National Security Law, the SAR government has been proactive in preventing, stopping, and punishing activities that endanger national security. The completion of local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law marked a historical moment for the SAR, and law enforcement, prosecution, and judicial departments took resolute actions to combat crimes against national security. The SAR government continuously enhanced public education to raise awareness of national security among residents. In fact, the implementation of the National Security Law in June 2020 led to an immediate effect in restoring order and stability in Hong Kong. The passing of the Security Law on March 19, 2024, and its promulgation on March 23, represented the successful fulfillment of the SAR's constitutional duty, ending a 26-year, eight-month, and nineteen-day wait. The National Security Law and the Security Law complement each other, forming a robust defense for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, ensuring residents' rights and freedoms and providing a solid foundation for the city's security and development. Fourthly, the white paper outlined Hong Kong's transition from governance to prosperity after restoring order and security. Through joint efforts of the central government and the SAR, significant achievements were made in safeguarding national security, governance efficiency improved, and the rule of law was vigorously defended. The business environment flourished, market stability improved, residents' rights were well protected, and welfare increased. Practices have shown that under the protection of the National Security Law and the Security Law, Hong Kong society thrived in stability, and citizens' normal lives and development were well-preserved. International rating agencies continued to view Hong Kong positively, ranking it as the world's top free economy, the third in international financial centers, and the competitiveness of talents returned to the top ten globally. Security breeds stability, and stability fosters development, ushering Hong Kong towards a new journey from governance to prosperity with limitless prospects. Fifthly, the white paper stressed the practical requirements for safeguarding national security and promoting high-quality development under "One Country, Two Systems" in a high-level security environment. Embracing the national security concept, Hong Kong must uphold the practical requirements for safeguarding national security under "One Country, Two Systems," establish high-level security, and ensure the steady progress of the system by coordinating the fundamental responsibility of the central government with the constitutional responsibilities of the SAR, ensuring governance by patriots, respecting and protecting human rights, maintaining security within the rule of law, balancing development with security, and safeguarding security through openness. Amid the rapidly changing global landscape and increasing geopolitical complexities, Hong Kong faces unpredictable national security risks. Guided by the comprehensive national security concept, efforts must be made to protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests, integrate the fundamental responsibility of the central government with the SAR's constitutional duties, and embed national security considerations throughout the process of practicing "One Country, Two Systems." There is a continued need to implement the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong," ensuring governance by patriots, respecting and safeguarding human rights, maintaining security within the rule of law, adhering to the common law system in Hong Kong, and improving the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security within the SAR. It is essential to coordinate development with security and prioritize non-traditional security in facing new challenges. The SAR government will enhance public education and encourage various sectors of society to deepen their understanding of the white paper's content and requirements, promoting national security awareness among citizens. Seminars on the white paper will be held, and the full text will be uploaded to government websites. John Lee Ka-chiu encouraged different sectors, including political parties, associations, and organizations, to organize activities to promote citizen awareness of Hong Kong's efforts to safeguard national security and ensure a correct understanding to protect national security. Security is a prerequisite for development, and development guarantees security. The SAR government remains steadfast in safeguarding national security and advancing economic development, ensuring high-level security for the high-quality development of "One Country, Two Systems," and achieving high-level security through high-quality development to provide better security for societal development and improve citizens' lives.