'Lack Of National Security Laws Aiding Separatism'

A top mainland official has said that lack of Article 23 is one of the main reasons why “radical, separatist forces” are intensifying in Hong Kong and SAR should consider passing the law as an urgent task.

Zhang Xiaoming, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said this in an article he wrote about what had been discussed at a four-day plenum of the Communist Party held in Beijing last month.

Zhang pointed out that Communist Party leaders decided at the key meeting that Hong Kong's legal system must be improved to safeguard national security.

He said it’s become an urgent task put in front of the Hong Kong government and society.

He said the Chief Executive must be someone who is trusted by the central government, while the administrative, legislative and judicial branches should also be comprised mainly of patriots.

He wrote that constitutional reforms in Hong Kong must comply with the Basic Law and the framework laid down by the National People’s Congress.

He said there’re a lot of changes in the internal and external environments of Hong Kong, resulting in new problems and challenges in governance. He said it’s therefore essential for the SAR government to be courageous to take up responsibilities.