The National Security Bill drafted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has successfully passed through the first two readings at the HKSAR Legislative Council Wednesday.
Introducing the draft bill, HKSAR Secretary for Security ReginaIp told the Legislative Councilors, "Through the implementation of the Basic Law, Hong Kong enjoys the unprecedented 'one country, two systems' arrangement. According to this principle, mainland laws purporting to protect the country's basic interest and national security are not implemented in Hong Kong.
"But the HKSAR has the responsibility to protect national security. In accordance with Article 23 of the Basic Law, the HKSAR shall enacts its own laws to this end," Ip said, citing the content of Article 23.
Article 23 of the Basic Law stipulates that the HKSAR shall enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People's government, or theft of state secrets.
Such laws shall also prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the HKSAR and prohibit political organizations or bodies of the HKSAR from establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodies.
(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2003)
