'Security Law Is Like A New Social Contract'
"); jQuery("#212 h3").html("
"); });
2020-07-04 HKT 13:02
A member of the Basic Law Committee, legal scholar Albert Chen, said in remarks broadcast on Saturday that the new national security law is like a new "social contract" with Beijing that will allow the ‘One Country Two Systems’ principle to continue to be implemented here.
The Hong Kong University law professor said this new ‘contract’ isn’t overly stringent – as it only requires Hong Kong people to refrain from committing the four national security offences stipulated in the law, or overstepping the limits of ‘one country’.
Those willing to accept these 'minimal' conditions can continue living and working safely in the SAR, Chen said on RTHK’s Hong Kong Letter.
The professor said while western countries generally believe that Beijing's imposition of the national security law would strip away human rights and freedoms and damage Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, people shouldn’t ‘simplify’ the matter, but look at it from a historical perspective.
He said the entire ‘One Country Two Systems’ concept appeared to be nearing its end by the conclusion of 2019 following months of protests, and the central government therefore felt the need to act to prevent the SAR from becoming a semi-independent political entity under the influence of Western countries, including the United States.
Chen said since the new law has no retrospective effect, people don't have to worry about getting punished for what they did in the past. He said this will allow society to start afresh.
Is Hong Kongs Financial Hub Status At Risk?
Globally, Hong Kong has made its mark as a financial hub alongside Singapore and Dubai. These city-states, while rivals... Read more
Project Aurum Phase Two Focuses On Privacy For Retail CBDCs
The BIS Innovation Hub Hong Kong Centre, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), has initiated t... Read more
Cyberport Welcomes New Directors, Retains Key Leaders For 2024-2026
Hong Kong Cyberport has announced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s appointment of th... Read more
Redefining Resilience For Banks In The Digital Era With The Four Zeros
The banking industry stands at the brink of a major transformation, driven by rapid technological advancements and chan... Read more
GSBN Partners Ant To Digitise Shipping Processes In Hong Kongs WCBDC Project
The Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), in partnership with Ant Group, has developed a prototype electronic bill o... Read more
HKMA Alerts Public To Fraudulent Claims Regarding E-HKD Pilot Programme
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) advises the public to exercise caution following reports of entities falsely cl... Read more