Question: A view claims that, the legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law will undermine the unique status and advantages of Hong Kong under the “One Country, Two Systems”, harm the freedom of speech, assembly and association in Hong Kong, and hurt the basic rights of residents in Hong Kong. What is your comment? 

Embassy spokesperson: The highest principle contained within the “One Country, Two Systems” is to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. If the “One Country” does not exist, where will the “Two Systems” be! Due to obstructions from external hostile forces and internal destabilising elements, Hong Kong has failed to complete the legislation on Article 23 after its return to the motherland more than 26 years ago. Hong Kong urgently needs to plug the loopholes in safeguarding national security, on which there is a strong consensus among all sectors of Hong Kong.

Since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, its residents have enjoyed much wider rights and freedoms than at any other period in history. The HKSAR government has pointed out clearly in documents issued recently that one of the principles that guide the legislation on Article 23 is to respect and protect human rights, and protect in accordance with the law the rights and freedoms which the residents of Hong Kong enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of relevant international covenants as applied to Hong Kong. These include the freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, procession and demonstration. 

It has to be emphasised that, the legislation on Article 23 is targeted at a tiny minority of individuals that are involved in offences seriously jeopardising national security, and it aims to protect the great majority of law-abiding Hong Kong residents. It will not in any way affect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, change Hong Kong's capitalist system and way of life, or reduce the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents. Hong Kong's unique status and advantages under the “One Country, Two Systems” will continue to be strong.