Global EditionASIA 中文双语Français
Opinion
Home / Opinion / Home truth in HK

National security law makes HK a safer place

By Zhang Zhouxiang | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2021-07-01 20:07
Share
Share - WeChat
People cross a street decorated with national flags and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flags to celebrate the 24th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong, on Tuesday. EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY

On June 30, one year after the national security law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region came into effect, several Western media outlets reviewed the transformations it brought about by it, citing "political pressure" most frequently.

As always, they turn a blind eye to the fact violence was curbed, while law and order has since resumed in this city.

They never talk to the woman who suffered from brutal attacks on May 24, 2020 when she was clearing the debris in Causeway Bay.

They never talk to the 57-year-old man surnamed Li, who was set on fire by rioters on Nov 11, 2019, or the family of the 70-year-old man surnamed Luo, who was killed by rioters with bricks two days later.

And they never talk to the law-abiding students from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who saw their campus turned into a battlefield and had to flee for their lives in November 2019.

Certain media outlets selectively omit the voices of local Hong Kong residents who have regained their sense of security in the past year, during which time they could again walk on the street without worrying about sticks, bricks and Molotov cocktails.

One main factor that ended violence and protected Hong Kong people from fear is, of course, the national security law. In some sense, it has brought about some fundamental changes to Hong Kong, which are visible to everyone: Violence disappeared, order was resumed, prosperity has returned.

The national security law is not a source of any "political pressure" as the Western media outlets call it; on the contrary, it has eased the political pressure brought about by rioters and their Western bosses in the chaotic days in 2019 and early 2020.

On July 30, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange announced it had received applications from 15 enterprises to get listed, plus 14 enterprises in public offering. On June 29, the HKSAR government proclaimed its blueprint for cleaner air. Starting in August, a total of 36 billion HKD ($4.6 billion) of consumption coupons will be distributed to residents.

All facts show Hong Kong is prospering and gaining vitality again, one year since the national security law came into effect. Please cherish it, and do not be fooled by lies.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @zzxang86

Most Viewed in 24 Hours
Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US