China News Service, Hong Kong, April 5th: Title: Don’t take it lightly when safeguarding national security, you must be vigilant at all times - Exclusive interview with Deng Bingqiang, Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong SAR Government
China News Service reporter Zeng Ping
On March 23 this year, the "Maintenance of National Security Ordinance", which was unanimously approved by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was gazetted and came into effect, marking a new stage in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's fulfillment of its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security. "We cannot take it lightly, we must always be vigilant." Deng Bingqiang, Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong SAR Government, recently accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Service and said this when talking about the work of safeguarding national security.
On April 3, Tang Bingqiang, Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong SAR Government, accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Service. Photo by China News Service reporter Chen Yongnuo
More than 20 years ago, when Hong Kong first promoted local legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law, Tang Bingqiang, a senior inspector of the police force, was busy with work including large-scale demonstrations and felt helpless that he could not complete the legislation. Now as the chief official to complete this important legislation, Deng Bingqiang is deeply honored. He believes that safeguarding national security has never been completed, and now is the beginning of another stage.
Looking back at the legislative process, Deng Bingqiang believes that there are two main challenges. "The first is a race against time." Deng Bingqiang said that since the consultation period, there has been serious smearing of the legislation, and the team has worked tirelessly to speed up the work and reduce risks. The second is to refute the smear campaign. We must not only explain the false news, but also refute it so that Hong Kong citizens can see clearly the external forces that deliberately intimidate Hong Kong people.
Tang Bingqiang said that the law to safeguard national security is not unique to Hong Kong, and the crimes established only target those who endanger national security. The general public and foreign businessmen do not need to worry about accidentally falling into the law. "We list every crime very clearly." He said that he hopes to invite friends from different countries to come to Hong Kong to see the actual situation to avoid being misled. "It's very free now, nothing has changed."
After completing 23 pieces of legislation, Deng Bingqiang did not dare to relax. He said that disciplinary forces and law enforcement departments will organize training at two levels. The first is basic training. All personnel need to understand the laws for maintaining national security, know their own rights and which behaviors are suspected of being illegal. The second is the training for the departments responsible for national security-related investigations. Personnel need to have a better understanding of how to grasp evidence and do a good job in prosecution.
Deng Bingqiang, who served as the Commissioner of Police during the "extradition bill storm" in 2019, knows very well that "Hong Kong cannot and cannot afford chaos." He said that there are enough laws to ensure national security, but external forces continue to smear the country and national security risks exist every day. Hong Kong must not take it lightly. It must always be vigilant, raise awareness of national security, and maintain a state of safeguarding national security.
"I believe that (the 'amendment storm') will not happen again." Deng Bingqiang said that Hong Kong citizens' national security awareness has improved a lot. During the consultation period on Article 23 legislation, 98.6% of the citizens supported the legislation. Furthermore, there are already laws to safeguard national security, and law enforcement and prosecutorial departments also have experience. All of the above can ensure that Hong Kong's security is protected.
A few years ago, he led the police force to respond to the "revision disturbance". This year, he completed 23 pieces of legislation that were overdue for more than 26 years. "These two things can be said to have made my public service career without regrets in this life." Deng Bingqiang said. (over)