'National Security Law Starting To Show Its Might'

The head of Beijing's liaison office, Luo Huining, said on Friday that Hong Kong's national security law is starting to show its might, but proper systems and mechanisms are needed to make people comply with it "of their own free will".

Speaking during an online symposium marking Constitution Day, the mainland official said the social unrest in the SAR last year had posed a huge threat to national security, and a serious challenge to "One Country, Two Systems".

But Luo said the national security law has started to have the desired effect in recent months, even though Hong Kong needs to further strengthen protections for national security.

"A lot of requirements under the national security law need to be turned into proper systems and mechanisms, so the law can become behaviour guidelines that Hong Kong people would comply with of their own will," he said.

He said that there have been a series of political and legal controversies since the handover because some people have disregarded fundamental changes to the SAR's constitutional foundations.

Luo also said that Beijing's resolution last month which led to the disqualification of four pro-democracy lawmakers had set out the standard for Hong Kong to be ruled by patriots.

"Only those who love the country can truly love Hong Kong. Only under the rule of patriots can Hong Kong have long-term stability and development."

Speaking at the same event, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the public need more education on the relationship between Hong Kong's Basic Law and the Chinese constitution.