Pedestrians on the street of Hong Kong's financial district Photo: cnsphoto

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that everyone, including herself and members of the Legislative Council, must draw lessons as Hong Kong has gone through many difficulties and serious situations in the past year since the anti-extradition bill protests, which evolved into months-long street riots. 

Lam said that Hong Kong cannot afford chaos, and that Hong Kong people want a stable environment and happy normal lives, especially in the face of the global economic recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This has been the common wish of Hong Kong society in the past 12 months, Lam said. 

As for the national security law for Hong Kong, Lam said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government will fully cooperate with the central government and is about to establish an effective enforcement mechanism. She appealed to every citizen who cares about national security to express their views on the law. 

The National People's Congress, which is China's top legislature, approved on May 28 a decision to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security.

Lam also condemned the few people who smeared the legislation and incited residents to strike on Sunday. 

Global Times