China News Agency, Hong Kong, June 30, "The Law of the People's Republic of China on the Maintenance of National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" was gazetted on June 30 and came into force at 23:00 on the same day.

  According to the Information Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed the Law on the Maintenance of National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on June 30 and consulted the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in accordance with Article 18 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong Basic Law). After the opinions of the Basic Law Committee of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong SAR Government, the law was included in Annex III of the Hong Kong Basic Law.

  The Law on the Maintenance of National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is formulated in accordance with the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, the Basic Law of Hong Kong and the Decision of the National People’s Congress on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Implementation Mechanism for the Maintenance of National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Decision). According to the "Decision", the Law on the Maintenance of National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be promulgated and implemented by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Hong Kong. The relevant announcement has been signed by the Chief Executive, Lin Zhengyue, and will be gazetted on the evening of June 30.

  The Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Safeguarding National Security consists of 66 articles, divided into six chapters. They are the General Provisions, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Duties and Institutions for Maintaining National Security, Crimes and Penalties, Case Jurisdiction, Law Application and Procedures, and the Central Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for Maintaining National Security. Institutions and annexes.

  A spokesman for the SAR Government stated that the purpose of this legislation is to effectively prevent, stop and punish any criminal acts that split the country, subvert the state power, terrorist activities, collude with foreign or foreign forces to endanger national security, and are aimed at a very small number of illegal crimes. People, protect the life and property of the vast majority of Hong Kong residents and the basic rights and freedoms they enjoy according to law. When Hong Kong residents are exercising these rights properly, there is no need to worry about violating national security laws.

  A spokesman for the SAR government also stated that the SAR government must effectively perform its duties and safeguard its national security. Earlier, it had initiated preparations for the establishment of a full-time department in the Police Department and the Department of Justice. With the entry into force of the National Security Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Police Force will establish the National Security Office on July 1 to handle the relevant work on a full-time basis.

  The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s National Security Maintenance Committee, chaired by the Chief Executive, will be established as soon as possible to assume the main responsibility for maintaining national security. (Finish)