'Article 23 Will Make Reference To UK Security Bill'

Secretary for Security Chris Tang said the government will make reference to security legislation in other jurisdictions, such as the National Security Bill in the UK, as it comes up with Basic Law Article 23 national security legislation.

Writing on his official blog, Tang said the security bill proposed by the British government underlines risks arising from, among other things, espionage and foreign interference, as well as the need to "legislate to get ahead of this threat".

Tang also pointed out that under the UK security bill, police would have expanded investigative powers and suspects could be detained for up to 14 days without charge.

"Western countries have all along been deliberately slandering and making false accusations against the national security law, as well as demonising the enactment of Article 23 under the Basic Law. But in fact, they have formulated their own national security laws and made legal amendments periodically," he wrote.

Tang called on all sectors, especially foreign politicians, to look at the Hong Kong proposals in "an objective and rational manner".

He said people should not make "wilful attacks" based on double standards, or attempt to interfere or sabotage the legislative work, while ignoring the fact that national security laws in western countries are wide-ranging.

The security chief added that Hong Kong will study national, local as well as foreign laws as it works towards implementing Article 23 legislation.