"We know that the majority of the public agree that we have a responsibility to safeguard our national security. They also realize the need to legislate under Article 23 of the Basic Law," said Tung at a press conference on the outcome of the consultation exercise on Article 23 of the Basic Law Tuseday.

"However, some members of the public have expressed doubts and worries about certain legislative proposals. In short, all issues, major or otherwise, have been thoroughly and enthusiastically discussed during the three-month consultation period."

"Press freedom is the foundation for Hong Kong's success. We must safeguard it. The media have expressed worries during the consultation exercise. We must allay their worries because we have no intention of undermining press freedom. Nor would we allow any damage to press freedom. Since the media are concerned about the possession of seditious publications, for instance, we have proposed to abolish the offence," said Tung.

To safeguard the freedom of the press and the free flow of information, the government will limit the definition of "unauthorized access" to protected information to that which has been obtained by or through criminal means such as hacking, theft or bribery, he said.

"I have full confidence that after the law is enacted, the public will find that their freedoms, including the freedom of speech, press, procession and assembly which they currently enjoy, will remain fully protected," said Tung.

The result of a recent public consultation revealed yesterday that the overwhelming majority of organizations and individuals in Hong Kong support the legislation of national security prescribed in Article 23.

Releasing the outcome of the consultation Tuseday, Regina Ip, secretary for security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said the government had received a total of 97,097 local submissions, involving 340,513 signatures in the three-month consultation.

(China Daily January 29, 2003)