Latest news with #HongKongandMacaoAffairsOffice
HKFP
23-06-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Chinese official hails national security law as Hong Kong's ‘guardian,' urging focus on ‘high-quality development'
China's top official on Hong Kong affairs has praised the Beijing-imposed national security law as the city's 'guardian,' adding that Hong Kong should use the rule of law to safeguard 'high-quality development.' The implementation of the national security law over the past five years has demonstrated that it is a 'good law with significant historical and practical importance,' Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO), said on Saturday at the opening ceremony of a forum marking the law's fifth anniversary. Xia said the Hong Kong government had fostered a 'new atmosphere' in governance, including the successful completion of Article 23 legislation — the city's domestic security law — last year. He said patriotic forces in Hong Kong could now 'hold their heads high,' while improvements in the city's business environment were 'plain for all to see.' Xia, who arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday for a five-day visit, went on to say that Hong Kong still faces a 'complex and grave' situation in regards to safeguarding national security. He said that the city must follow China's national security principles and ensure that power is 'held firmly' in the hands of patriots. 'Five years of implementation have proven the Hong Kong national security law to be a 'guardian' of the One Country, Two Systems principle and a safeguard of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability,' a statement from the HKMAO read quoting Xia. The HKMAO statement went on to say: 'The Hong Kong SAR government and all sectors of society must unite, seize opportunities, and take up responsibilities… and continuously advancing the high-quality development of the One Country, Two Systems framework.' The HKMAO director urged the city to pay attention to trade crackdowns, financial risks and the dissemination of 'false information.' He also called on the government to attract talent and maintain a 'free and open' business environment to draw investors from around the world. Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong's mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The rule of law, which Xia described as Hong Kong's 'hallmark,' should be used to consolidate the city's status as an international financial, aviation, and trading hub. He added that the government should maintain an 'executive-led' system, and that different sectors should support Chief Executive John Lee and his administration in introducing reform and promoting high-quality development. At the same opening ceremony, Lee vowed to accurately implement the One Country, Two Systems principle and take advantage of Hong Kong's current stable situation to boost the economy and improve people's livelihoods. The Hong Kong leader revealed on Tuesday that a total of 332 people had been arrested for national security offences since the national security law was enacted on June 30, 2020. Legislation was tightened in May, making it illegal to disclose information relating to cases overseen by the Office for Safeguarding National Security. The chief executive said that the law only targeted a small group of people, adding that – on average – 66 people were apprehended under the security law each year – lower than the average annual number of total arrests, which stood at around 30,000. The security law gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The city also saw newsrooms raises and journalists jailed, but authorities have rejected criticism of the law by trade partners, the UN and NGOs. In September last year, five US departments – including the Departments of State, Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, and the Treasury – issued a warning about increasing business risks in Hong Kong, citing the 'broad and vague provisions' of the two security laws. The Hong Kong government later rejected the claims, calling them 'false' and 'baseless.' Separate from the 2020 Beijing-enacted security law, the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of up to 16 days, and suspects' access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city's opposition-free legislature.
HKFP
19-06-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Beijing official praises Hong Kong leader for ‘positive progress' in boosting economy, improving people's livelihoods
China's top official on Hong Kong affairs has praised the city's leader for making 'positive progress' in boosting the economy and improving people's livelihoods. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO), arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday evening for a five-day visit. He met with Chief Executive John Lee, other top officials, Legislative Council President Andrew Leung, and Chief Justice Andrew Cheung at Government House. In a Chinese-language statement released after the meeting, the HKMAO said Xia praised Chief Executive John Lee for 'implementing the important instructions' of China's President Xi Jinping. The Hong Kong leader has 'taken proactive steps to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security' and upheld the principle of 'patriots governing Hong Kong,' it also said. The chief executive 'has focused his efforts on boosting the economy, pursuing development, and improving people's livelihoods – achieving positive progress across various areas,' the statement quoted Xia as saying. Last month, the Hong Kong government announced that the city's GDP grew by 3.1 per cent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. On Tuesday, the Census and Statistics Department reported that the unemployment rate rose to 3.5 per cent for the March-to-May period, up from 3.4 per cent between February and April. The Hong Kong government said on Wednesday night that Lee extended his warmest welcome to Xia and expressed gratitude to the Beijing official for his 'continued concern and support for Hong Kong.' Xia is scheduled to attend a government-organised forum on Saturday, marking the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the national security law. Promotional materials released by the government on Tuesday showed that fencing athlete and Olympic gold medallist Vivian Kong will be among the panellists, discussing how 'security brings prosperity' and how to make patriotism a 'mainstream value in society.' The Beijing official, who is set to remain in Hong Kong until Sunday, is also expected to conduct inspections around the city, although the government has not disclosed details of his itinerary. Xia first visited Hong Kong in April 2023, during which he gave a keynote speech on National Security Education Day. At that time, he said the city 'seems peaceful' but some 'undercurrents are still simmering,' adding that the root of the 2019 extradition bill unrest had not been eliminated. He made inspection visits to Hong Kong in February this year and last year. He visited Macau for six days last month. Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong's mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs.
HKFP
17-06-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Beijing official Xia Baolong to visit Hong Kong ahead of 5th anniversary of nat. security law
Beijing's top official on Hong Kong affairs will visit the city for five days this week to attend a forum marking the fifth anniversary of the national security law, Chief Executive John Lee has announced. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO), will visit Hong Kong from Wednesday to Sunday, Lee said at a weekly press briefing on Tuesday, ahead of the Executive Council meeting. The main focus of Xia's visit will be to attend a national security law forum organised by the Hong Kong government on Saturday, Lee said. The Chinese official, whom Lee said 'knows Hong Kong's situation very well,' will also inspect the city's 'economic situation and social development' during his five-day visit. Lee added that he was 'very encouraged' by Xia's trip. The Hong Kong leader said the government will maintain 'close communication' with the HKMAO before announcing details of Xia's itinerary. Xia first visited Hong Kong in April 2023, during which he gave a keynote speech on the National Security Education Day. At that time, he said the city 'seems peaceful' but some 'undercurrents are still simmering,' adding that the root of the 2019 extradition bill unrest had not been eliminated. He made inspection visits to Hong Kong in February this year and last year. He visited Macau for six days last month. Lee also said on Tuesday that a total of 332 people had been arrested for national security offences since the national security law was enacted on June 30, 2020. The chief executive pointed out that on average, 66 people were apprehended under the security law each year – far lower than the average annual number of total arrests, which stood at around 30,000. 'Sixty-six out of 30,000, the percentage is 0.2. When we promulgated the national security law, we made it very clear that the law is aiming at only a small portion of people who endanger national security. This figure reinforces that clear message,' Lee said. Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong's mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs. In March 2024, Hong Kong enacted its homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of up to 16 days, and suspects' access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city's opposition-free legislature.
