Ronny Tong: Security Law Has Put SAR Back On Track

Executive Council member and barrister Ronny Tong says the National Security Law has benefitted the people of Hong Kong, while dismissing western concerns that the legislation has undermined freedom in the SAR.

Speaking on RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong programme, Tong also dismissed concerns that people could fall foul of the new legislation by mistake, as the law was clear on what activities were illegal.

He said Hong Kong people continued to enjoy and exercise the freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law.

"There are no mass arrests of dissidents and no shutting down of media," Tong said. "Quite the contrary, people continue to criticise the Central and SAR governments both publicly, in the media, as well as over personal social media.

"People accused of committing crimes of rioting, unlawful assemblies and other public order offences continue to be granted bail or acquitted by the courts.

"There are no additional restrictions on marches, rallies or other protests save those necessarily imposed by reason of Covid-19."

Tong said he was surprised by criticism of the new law by western governments. He said the two arguments they made – that Beijing's imposition of the law went against the Sino-British Joint Declaration and that eroded people's basic freedoms – did not stand up to scrutiny.

"There is a Chinese saying in Hong Kong: 'nothing can falsify the truth'. It is an undeniable fact that no rhetoric from the west can turn national security and freedoms of the people into competing or conflicting values.

"Nor will it diminish the success of the One Country Two Systems, whether before or after the passing of the Hong Kong National Security Law."