China news agency, Beijing, June 29 - Question: follow the rule of law in national security legislation seeking to rule Hong Kong
China News Service reporter Yang Zhe
The twentieth session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress will be held on June 28. The group meeting will continue to review the draft law on the maintenance of national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The news on the 29th indicated that the draft voting proposal had been submitted to the Standing Committee for deliberation. As the relevant legislative process advances step by step, all sectors look forward to the passage of the draft as soon as possible, and through the power of the rule of law, help Hong Kong restore order as soon as possible.
In the 23 years since Hong Kong's return, the practice of "one country, two systems" has achieved tremendous success. This is inseparable from the pioneering wisdom in the design of the system and the respect for the spirit of the rule of law in the implementation of the Basic Law.
Hong Kong has been unable to fulfill its responsibility for local legislation on national security, resulting in its long-term "undefended" state in maintaining national security. The relevant crimes are intensifying, but they have not been effectively curbed and punished. Last year's "Rituals of Regulations", various chaos broke out, collusion between internal and external forces, impact on Hong Kong's constitutional order, shake the foundation of the rule of law, causing serious harm to national security, making the solution of the problem more urgent.
It should be noted that safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests is the core essence of "one country, two systems." The chaos in Hong Kong is something that no patriotic lovers of Hong Kong would like to see. At a critical moment, the central government took action and assumed the responsibility of maintaining national security through legislation at the national level. This is not only to push Hong Kong out of the predicament, but also to take a long-term perspective, fill loopholes, maintain the rule of law, and lay a solid foundation for "one country, two systems."
In this regard, there are voices of doubt in the outside world, and opponents have released a large number of specious statements. But rational observers can’t deny that this law is justified, necessary and urgent because of law, reason and emotion.
As for the law, the maintenance of national security legislation belongs to the central authority. The central authority authorizes Hong Kong to make legislation on national security on its own. It does not affect the central government’s legislation according to the actual situation and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanism. In principle, national security affairs are originally managed by the central government. No country will sit idly by when national security is compromised, and central legislation will not undermine Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. In fact, Hong Kong’s development will return to the right track at an early date, which is the common expectation of the people of Hong Kong, including Hong Kong citizens.
The Legal Work Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and the Hong Kong SAR Government have widely listened to the opinions of all parties through various channels, held multiple symposia to discuss, and absorbed opinions and suggestions. The opposition-sponsored actions to undermine national security legislation have been frustrated one after another. It also shows that stability, order, and the rule of law are becoming the public opinion and consensus of the current Hong Kong society.
In the explanation of the relevant draft legislation, we can also see the good intentions of the central government to maintain the rule of law: clearly aim at four types of crimes that seriously endanger the state, take into account the differences between the two places, respect and protect human rights, and all jurisdictions are exercised by the HKSAR except in specific situations Wait.
Hong Kong society also has a clear understanding of this. Fan Xu Litai, the former chairman of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council, pointed out recently that the relevant legislation conforms to the original intention of "one country, two systems", trusts the SAR government and the judiciary to the greatest extent, takes into account the characteristics of common law, and protects human rights.
The power of the rule of law has ensured a smooth transition after the return of Hong Kong, and it is also promoting the "one country, two systems" to achieve stability and long-term progress. With the clarification of the relevant legal content, "crime" and "non-crime" will draw a clear line, sounding the alarm for actions that endanger national security and "one country, two systems", and bring dawn to those who are looking forward to the restoration of prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. Provide better protection for the rights and freedoms of law-abiding citizens.
When the loopholes in the system are repaired and the spirit of the rule of law is followed, national security will be effectively maintained. I believe Hong Kong will not be far from chaos to governance. (Finish)