HK's national security duty emphasized

Hong Kong's political leaders on Tuesday said the nation's newly-released blueprint for the next 15 years, which encourages the city to integrate into national development, has placed an emphasis on Hong Kong's duty to safeguard national security.

Their remarks came after the central government on Tuesday released its proposals for formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

In the proposals, the central government has pledged to implement its overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and their legal systems and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national sovereignty and security, while maintaining the overall stability of the two SARs.

External interference in Hong Kong and Macao's internal affairs shall be "curbed and prevented", while residents of Hong Kong and Macao shall strengthen their sense of national identity and patriotism, according to the proposals.

Noting Hong Kong's duty to safeguard national security contained in the proposals, Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's sole delegate on the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, told China Daily it is the only way for Hong Kong to have an "enduring" prosperity.

"This is also the essence of the 'one country, two systems' principle. While the central government grants the SAR a high degree of autonomy, it is undeniable that the central government exercises overall jurisdiction over the SAR," Tam said.

Tam said the proposals also emphasized the great importance that the central government attaches to Hong Kong's development. "The city's status as the international financial center is still here to stay; the nation also encourages us to integrate into the grand development plan, particularly in the innovation sector."

Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, said the proposals supported Hong Kong's economic development by integrating into the nation as always, and they noted Hong Kong's political role by emphasizing the need to safeguard national security and sovereignty.

Lau said that threats to national security still exist and are constantly changing and developing amid a complex international situation.

The political scientist said Hong Kong can't be the weak link in national security if "one country, two systems" is to be fully and accurately implemented, along with constitutional order under the Basic Law and the National Security Law.

The proposals, adopted at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee which closed on Oct 29, also said the central government would support the two cities to buttress its competitive edges and evolve into an international tech hub. Meanwhile, more favorable policies allowing Hong Kong and Macao residents to share in the opportunities available on the mainland will be formulated, one proposal revealed.

Among the major national policy initiatives, one proposal highlighted the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative for the SARs to integrate into the national development.

Both initiatives are high on the agendas of Hong Kong and Guangdong province. Last Friday, leaders of Hong Kong and Guangdong province agreed a deal to push both initiatives, comprising 57 detailed measures in eight key areas. Items related to cross-boundary cooperation in infrastructure development and customs clearance facilitation, business, innovation technology, education, and professional services all made the list.