Beijing Determined On Security Law: Han Zheng

Beijing’s top man on Hong Kong, Vice Premier Han Zheng, was quoted as saying on Sunday that Beijing’s controversial decision to directly enact national security laws in Hong Kong was ‘considered thoroughly’ as he warned people ‘not to underestimate’ the central government’s determination in implementing the legislation.

His remarks were relayed to RTHK after 36 Hong Kong delegates to the National People’s Congress met with Han at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday.

Han told the delegates that the decision is an extremely significant one that can ensure that the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle can continue to function in Hong Kong,

The vice premier is also quoted as saying that the SAR can play a great role in China’s development, and he hopes to strengthen Hong Kong's status as a financial, trade and aviation hub.

Han is said to have told the Hong Kong representatives to do more to promote and explain the coming legislation, try to settle the people down, and to support Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the Hong Kong government.

He’s also quoted as saying that the Hong Kong government has Beijing's strong backing.

The vice premier is said to have explained that Beijing’s decision to directly impose national security laws doesn’t release Hong Kong from having to fulfill its constitutional duty to enact its own legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law – suggesting that the Beijing-imposed legislation and the locally-enacted laws will work in tandem.

The head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, and Luo Huining – who heads Beijing's Liaison Office in Hong Kong –were also at the meeting.