Legco President, FTU Welcome Beijing's Decision

Legco President Andrew Leung said he "respects, understands and supports" Beijing's decision to draw up a national security law for Hong Kong while the Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) said the move was timely.

Speaking at Legco on Friday, Leung dismissed concerns that this intervention marked the end of One Country Two Systems, saying that Premier Li Keqiang said that upholding it was "the central policy of the central government".

"The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the PRC, Hong Kong has the constitutional responsibilities to enact laws in accordance with Article 23 of Basic Law, the government should commence the relevant work at the appropriate time."

When asked if it was appropriate and reasonable for the mainland authorities to bypass Legco to enact such a controversial piece of legislation, Leung said the NPC were using their constitutional power in response to the situation in Hong Kong.

"I think they cannot tolerate anymore and therefore they have to put a resolution to enact the legal system to help Hong Kong and also to help the national security loophole, to plug the loophole," he said.

“If it continue like this in Hong Kong, what about the livelihood of our people of our economy of our business? So, I think there is something under the real situation NPC felt that they need to act."

Earlier, the Federation of Trade Unions had applauded Beijing's move, saying it's timely given "the growth of separatism and foreign interference in the SAR".

Its lawmakers said these factors are to blame for continuing protests, and a national security law is needed to maintain stability and allow the SAR's economy to recover.

Alice Mak said trying to legislate locally may not be efficient because of opposition lawmakers who were "trying to do everything to stop and to violate the process" of implementing article 23 legislation.

"We have waited for 23 years for the legislation of Article 23 in Hong Kong, do you still have any confidence in the legislation in Hong Kong? I don't think we as a sensible person to say that this will be the efficient way for local legislation."

Meanwhile former Financial secretary Henry Tang, speaking to RTHK from Beijing, played down fears of mainland security agents operating in Hong Kong under the proposed laws.

He said the draft only says some central government organisations previously not allowed to operate in HK will be allowed to do so. He said they could be law enforcement agencies although it’s just his guess.

“We are still unclear about the content of the legislation. So I can’t guess which kind of central government bodies he was referring to, or what check and balance will be in place when these agencies operate in Hong Kong." said Tang.

"But I’m confident about Hong Kong’s legal system, meaning everyone is equal under the law,” he said.