China News Service, Hong Kong, July 5 Question: Interview with Deng Jingcheng: The National Security Law of Hong Kong embodies the support of the Central Government for the Hong Kong Police Force
China News Agency reporter Zhang Xiaoxi
The "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Maintenance of National Security" has been formally promulgated and implemented. Deng Jingcheng, a member of the CPPCC National Committee and former director of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Police Service, said in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Service in Hong Kong that the Law on the Maintenance of National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region reflects the full trust of the Central Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Police The support of the team’s ability to handle relevant cases truly embodies "one country, two systems."
In Deng Jingcheng's view, the law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security is "too important" for Hong Kong. Over the past year, Hong Kong has faced too many problems. The economy, people's livelihood and the safety of the general public have been greatly affected. The vast majority of citizens are very happy to see the emergence of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's National Security Law. On the other hand, the law enforcement agencies of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, especially the Hong Kong Police Force and other law enforcement agencies, very much need an effective law to bring some criminals to justice. This is also very important for maintaining the governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, for the stable development of Hong Kong, and for protecting the economic development of Hong Kong and the safety of residents.
Deng Jingcheng said that in accordance with the Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Maintenance of National Security, the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Office of National Security Maintenance has supervision, guidance, coordination, and support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in performing its duties of maintaining national security. It is a very good arrangement for the security affairs adviser to provide advice on matters related to the performance of the duties of the National Security Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is also the best proof of "one country, two systems".
He believes that after the implementation of the Law on the Maintenance of National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Hong Kong, it can be seen that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has a series of work frameworks, and the Police Force has also established a new department to maintain national security, which has a new structure, personnel and strength. After that, the focus is on strengthening the ability to maintain national security in terms of law enforcement and personnel training.
"Although I have been retired for almost 10 years, but I see the Hong Kong Police Force in terms of leadership, organization and construction of new organizations (performance), I am confident." Deng Jingcheng said.
Deng Jingcheng said that although the Hong Kong Police Force may not be very familiar with maintaining national security in the past, the Police Force has experience in maintaining Hong Kong's security and has exchanged views with mainland authorities; Further improvement will upgrade the maintenance of Hong Kong's security to the maintenance of national security. "In fact, Hong Kong's security is also a part of national security, so this has a direct relationship, and the previous experience is working," he said.
On June 30, the Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Safeguarding National Security was gazetted and implemented in Hong Kong. On July 1, thugs set fire to various roads in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and even thugs attacked with hard objects when police officers enforced the law; the police arrested about 370 people, 10 of whom were suspected of violating the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Maintenance of national security laws.
In this regard, Deng Jingcheng said that although violence occurred again on July 1, the number of people participating in the violent action was much smaller than before. He was also very pleased to see that the police had quickly quoted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s National Security Law and strengthened the handling of the situation.
Deng Jingcheng said frankly that there was some concern about how the Hong Kong police would enforce the law after the implementation of the National Security Law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, but it seems that the police force has done a very good job.
He mentioned that the police raised the purple flag for the first time in the July 1 operation to issue a warning, and also read out the words on the flag aloud, indicating that someone may have violated the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s National Security Law. This warning has been made clear, and those who break the law have no excuse to say "I don't know what happened." He also said that the police's performance is also an education process for law-abiding Hong Kong citizens, so that the citizens can better understand the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's National Security Law. The police work is being done step by step, but the education and warning links have been done very well.
"This law definitely has a positive effect on the rule of law in Hong Kong." Deng Jingcheng pointed out that 23 years after the return of Hong Kong, due to problems in the operation and education of the opposition, some Hong Kong people have a misunderstanding of "one country, two systems". There is still a long way to go to enhance the national awareness of Hong Kong people and maintain national security awareness.
He emphasized that to safeguard national security, everyone should be responsible. All relevant departments and agencies should take corresponding responsibilities, so that Hong Kong can really play an effective role in maintaining national security, which can not only protect national security, but also ensure that Hong Kong continues to move forward under prosperity and stability. (Finish)