Q: The third plenary session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) of China will deliberate on a draft decision about the legal framework and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). What is the consideration for this move?

A: National Security is the cornerstone underpinning the stability of a country. Safeguarding the national security serves the fundamental interest of all the Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, and it is also in line with the core spirit of the Basic Law of the HKSAR.

The NPC’s measure is aimed, from the state-level, to establish and improve a legal framework and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding the national security in the HKSAR, so as to ensure better implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle and safeguard the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. It is fully in accordance with the provisions of China’s Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR.