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Safeguarding national security does not contradict the principles of "one country, two systems," and deliberations on improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the ongoing legislature session are imperative, said the liaison office of the central government in HKSAR and the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office on Friday. 

A draft decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security was submitted to the third session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) for deliberation on Friday.

The spokesperson of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said on Friday it is an "imperative move" to plug the legal loopholes in Hong Kong for national security.

Deliberations by China's national legislature are fundamental to ensuring that "one country, two systems" principle goes steady and far, said the liaison office spokesperson.

"The move reflects the strong will and determination of the central government to safeguard national security. It also demonstrates the resolute defense of and utmost care for the overall interests of Hong Kong and the fundamental wellbeing of Hong Kong compatriots," the spokesperson said. 

On the same day, the spokesperson of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said in a statement that it's "very timely, imperative and important for the NPC to make the decision."

It will lay a solid institutional foundation for the steady and enduring growth of the cause of "one country, two systems," said the government spokesperson.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who is also attending the opening ceremony of the third session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, also issued a statement on Friday, vowing to fully cooperate with the Standing Committee of the NPC to complete the legislation as soon as possible to discharge its responsibility of safeguarding national security to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong under "one country, two systems."

In view of the increasingly serious situation Hong Kong is facing in relation to national security, and the difficulty the executive and legislative authorities of the HKSAR faces to pass legislation to safeguard national security in the foreseeable future, the HKSAR government supports the NPC's deliberations to establish and improve at the national level the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security, according to the HKSAR statement. 

Global Times