China News Agency, Beijing, April 15 Question: Safeguarding National Security, Hong Kong Moves Forward
China News Agency reporter Chen Xiaoyuan
April 15 is "National Day of National Security Education." The Hong Kong SAR Government and relevant agencies have launched special websites, organized exhibitions, essay contests and other activities to encourage Hong Kong citizens to understand the importance of national security and think about how to further safeguard national security.
At a time when the storm of revisions and the impact of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic are superimposed, the Hong Kong SAR Government is commendable in organizing these activities.
In June last year, there was a turmoil in the revision of laws. A very small number of "Hong Kong independence" elements colluded with external anti-China forces to mess up Hong Kong in an attempt to initiate a "color revolution" and bring disaster to the mainland. This also highlights the necessity and urgency of the SAR's efforts to maintain national security.
In October last year, the communique of the Fourth Plenary Session of the Nineteenth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China clearly stated that the establishment and improvement of the legal system and enforcement mechanism of the Special Administrative Region to maintain national security has high hopes for the Special Administrative Region.
According to the provisions of the National Security Law, national security work should adhere to the overall national security concept, with people ’s security as the purpose, political security as the basis, economic security as the basis, military, cultural and social security as the guarantee, and promotion of international security as the basis To maintain national security in various fields.
Hong Kong is of great significance to national political and economic security. Maintaining national security is in the fundamental interest of the people of the whole country, including the vast majority of Hong Kong compatriots. Only with national security can the practice of "one country, two systems" be carried forward. National security is also conducive to Hong Kong ’s integration into the overall situation of national development and the maintenance of long-term prosperity and stability.
From a legal perspective, safeguarding national security is the constitutional responsibility of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and is an inevitable requirement for the comprehensive and accurate implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy. According to Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall make its own legislation on the maintenance of national security.
In practice, discussions on this legislation in Hong Kong have lasted for many years, and there have been many arguments. Some people think that legislation can form a deterrent to separatist forces such as "Hong Kong independence" and should be completed as soon as possible. Others think that the timing and conditions of legislation are not yet mature, and they should be put in the cabinet first.
In any case, rational communication and brainstorming are the necessary process of scientific legislation and the inevitable requirement of a democratic society.
Hong Kong is a pluralistic society, and it is normal to have different views on legislation to safeguard national security, but whether the foothold of the discussion really concerns Hong Kong and the national interest is crucial.
For a long time, due to the lack of national education and other reasons, some people in Hong Kong society lacked a national perspective and misunderstood the relevant legislative work. Others were fooled by a very few opposition figures or foreign anti-China forces and maliciously obstructed the relevant legislative work. None of this will help advance national security work.
Facing the complicated international situation, "one country, two systems" is a new thing, and it is inevitable to encounter new situations and new problems in the development process. The meaning of national security is constantly enriching with the development of the times, and the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security must also be developed accordingly.
The truth becomes clearer and clearer. The Hong Kong society should encourage more people to participate in the relevant discussions, strive to clarify the Hong Kong responsibilities of national security, and strive to gather the greatest consensus of the society at an early date, fulfill the obligations of the SAR in order to maintain national security, and implement the "one country, two systems" in order to implement the Basic Law , Make efforts to safeguard the long-term interests of Hong Kong's development. (Finish)