On June 30, the 44th meeting of the UN Human Rights Council opened in Geneva. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Lin Zhengyue, delivered a video speech as a VIP of the Human Rights Council.
Lin Zhengyue said that national security belongs to the central authority. Hong Kong is an inseparable part of China. It is a local administrative region with a high degree of autonomy and is directly under the Central People’s Government. Hong Kong has so far failed to complete national security legislation and failed to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. National security affects 1.4 billion Chinese compatriots including 7.5 million Hong Kong residents. Can we tolerate this national security loophole in Hong Kong for a long time?
Lin Zhengyue said that the need to legislate to maintain national security is imminent. Since June last year, spurred by external forces, violence has escalated and Hong Kong has suffered trauma. Organizations advocating "Hong Kong independence" and "self-determination" incite demonstrators, blatantly slandering the national flag, damaging the national emblem and attacking the central Hong Kong institutions. Some local politicians have repeatedly threatened to paralyze the governance of the Hong Kong SAR government, and some have begged foreign governments to intervene in Hong Kong affairs, and even imposed sanctions on Hong Kong. These threats to sovereignty and national security, as well as the risk of subverting state power, cannot be ignored by any central government. These actions have touched the red line of "one country" and must act decisively.
Lin Zhengyue said that the National People’s Congress is China’s highest authority, with constitutional powers and responsibilities to formulate national security laws for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The enacted laws are aimed at preventing, suppressing and punishing any acts of splitting the country, subverting state power, terrorist activities, colluding with foreign or foreign forces to endanger national security. The law only targets a very small number of people who break the law, and the vast majority of Hong Kong residents’ lives and property, basic rights and freedoms will be protected.
Lin Zhengyue said that the legislation reflects important legal principles and will not affect "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong is a diverse society and respects different opinions, but the principle of "one country" cannot be argued and there is no room for compromise, because without "one country", "two systems" will have no place to stand, and the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong will be threatened . For foreign governments or politicians who are hostile to legislation, their "double standards" are really disappointing. All countries that accuse China have their own national security legislation. We cannot see why only China cannot enact national security laws to protect every inch of its territory and every national.
Lin Zhengyue said that as long as it adheres to "one country, two systems" and practices laws that safeguard national security, Hong Kong will surely survive the political storm that has occurred since June last year and become stronger while returning to stability. She will unswervingly use the advantages of Hong Kong with the SAR Government, seize the opportunities brought by national development, and create a better life for Hong Kong residents. (Reporter De Yongjian's material source Le Xiaomin, editor of the official website of the UN Human Rights Council)
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]