National security law ensures 'one country, two systems': Scholar

China's adoption of the law on safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an important step toward ensuring the "one country, two systems" principle, an expert said.

In an interview with China Daily, Victor Gao, chair professor at Soochow University, said the step to adopt the law helps "to enhance the principle of 'one country, two systems'", which has proved its success since it was implemented in Hong Kong and then in Macao, he said.

Gao said the law gives an opportunity for the HKSAR to achieve further prosperity, and enhances the legal framework and mechanism for Hong Kong residents to exercise their statutory rights and freedom.

"The recent violence in Hong Kong exposed loopholes in its legal system and the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms in maintaining national security there," he said, adding that "Hong Kong's economy has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the violent activities, thus it is urgent and important to end the chaos in Hong Kong through stronger national security legislation".

The scholar said that since the "one country, two systems" principle has been and will continue to be an important prerequisite for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, on the basis of the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the introduction of national security legislation for the HKSAR will further help to prevent and control national security risks and safeguard the rule of law, prosperity and stability in the region.

Gao also said that it is a sovereign right of any independent country to introduce legislation for the sake of safeguarding national security.

"Other countries, for whatever reason, have no right to intervene", he added.

The law was passed at the 20th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

With 66 articles in six chapters, the law clearly defines the duties and government bodies of the HKSAR for safeguarding national security and four categories of offences - secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements to endanger national security - and their corresponding penalties.