Erick Tsang Sidesteps Questions On Article 22

The new Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Erick Tsang, on Thursday brushed aside a barrage of questions over Basic Law Article 22 and whether the liaison office is bound by it, saying the Chief Executive has already clarified the matter.

Asked repeatedly about this by reporters, the official said he would not add any comments to those made by Carrie Lam on the issue.

Article 22 of the Basic Law states that departments of the central government must not interfere in Hong Kong affairs. But a statement issued by the liasion office said that it, and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, are not bound by this article.

The claim sparked a controversy in the SAR, with the opposition parties and some legal experts warning the two offices could breach the Basic Law. The row ballooned even more after the SAR issued three different statements within hours over the issue.

Tsang reiterated that the two offices have the power to oversee Hong Kong affairs and it's reasonable for them to comment on local matters.

He said the two offices are representing the Central People’s Government to oversee the implementation of the Basic Law and One Country, Two Systems correctly in Hong Kong.

“I think it is reasonable for them to make such remarks,” said the new minister.

Asked whether the government has plans to prepare for the introduction of Article 23 national security laws, Tsang said this is not within the remit of his bureau.

But he added that Hong Kong has a constitutional duty to enact national security laws, and it's not a question of whether the SAR should or shouldn't enact such laws, but when.