I'll Tell Beijing About Our Common Law: John Lee

Security Secretary John Lee said on Tuesday that he will tell the central government more about Hong Kong's common law system when he meets officials in Beijing to discuss the upcoming national security legislation for the SAR.

Lee is to head to the capital on Wednesday, along with Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng and the director of the CE's office Chan Kwok-ki.

"I am in charge of the enforcement side so I will do my best to reflect how law enforcement agencies operate under the common law system, how the collection and presentation of evidence will take place in court, and how some common law principles will apply in the adjudication of cases," Lee said.

Reporters asked Lee whether he will also tell Beijing that there is opposition in Hong Kong to the central government's national security law move.

"I think I will reflect the views of different people. There are people who support it, there are people who do not. Obviously I will reflect what is happening in Hong Kong and what I have heard," he replied.

Meanwhile, legal sector legislator Dennis Kwok urged the justice secretary to explain what she meant when she suggested that some people could be prosecuted under the future law for things they said or did even before it takes effect.

In a newspaper interview, Cheng said the law would not be retrospective "in principle", but exceptions could be allowed under international and common law practice.

Kwok said there are "no exceptions to the principle of non-retrospectiveness" and accused the secretary of striking fear in the hearts of the Hong Kong people, especially the hundreds of thousands who have taken part in protests over the past year.

"The principle is that there should be no retrospective effect of criminal law in Hong Kong and there can't be any exceptions," he said.