National security law turning point for Hong Kong, milestone for 'one country, two systems': director of liaison office

HONG KONG -- The promulgation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) marks a significant turning point for Hong Kong and a milestone for the practice of "one country, two systems," Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, said on Wednesday.

"With the elapse of time, we will get a good view that the promulgation of the law marks a significant turning point for Hong Kong to move from turmoil to stability, and a major milestone for the practice of 'one country, two systems' in Hong Kong," Luo said in a speech at a launching ceremony of events marking the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

The social unrest arising from the now-withdrawn ordinance amendments concerning fugitive transfers since last year has exposed the tremendous risks Hong Kong is facing in safeguarding national security and posed a grave challenge to "one country, two systems," he said.

Against this backdrop, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress enacted the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, a move to further consolidate and improve the "one country, two systems" framework, Luo noted.