China News Agency, Washington, May 30. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai published a signed article in the US media on the 30th, saying that maintaining national security is the basis for the survival of "one country, two systems."
This article entitled "Protecting the Future of" One Country, Two Systems "and Returning to the Stable Development of Hong Kong" was published on the Bloomberg website. The article points out that for a long time, Hong Kong has been "undefended" in national security. It is precisely because of this that some people openly advocated "Hong Kong independence", incited violence, and repeatedly broke through the bottom line of the central government; external forces are increasingly unscrupulously intervening and disrupting Hong Kong affairs. Hong Kong is in chaos and China's national security is jeopardized.
The article believes that it is urgent to plug the risk loopholes in Hong Kong's national security through national legislation. Article 23 of the Basic Law authorizes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to make its own legislation on the maintenance of national security. However, in the past 23 years since the return, the opposition has obstructed everything and the relevant legislation cannot be completed so far. "If you do not act after paying such a heavy price, you are truly irresponsible to the people."
The article emphasizes that in any country in the world, whether it is a unitary system or a federal system, national security legislation belongs to the national legislative power. The central government has the greatest and ultimate responsibility for maintaining national security.
The article points out that maintaining national security is the foundation on which "one country, two systems" depends. Only when the national security foundation is solid and the overall situation of the society is stable can the system advantages of "one country, two systems" be fully utilized, and the deep-seated contradictions such as the economy and people's livelihood can be solved to win more room for development for Hong Kong. National security cannot be guaranteed, and Hong Kong ’s long-term prosperity and stability cannot be discussed.
What does the national security legislation concerning Hong Kong mean to American friends who have worked and lived in Hong Kong for a long time? The article stated, "The answer is to make you safer and more at ease."
The article said that the relevant legislation is aimed at actions that endanger China's national security, such as splitting the country, subverting the regime, organizing the implementation of terrorist activities, and interfering with foreign and foreign forces. As long as anyone has nothing to do with such behavior, it is safe to live and work in Hong Kong.
The article said that the legislation will better protect the life and property safety and other legal rights and freedoms of Hong Kong law-abiding residents, and will also better protect the Hong Kong SAR ’s high degree of autonomy in accordance with the law, which is conducive to maintaining the rule of law and business environment in Hong Kong. (Finish)