HKSAR LegCo president supports national legislature's decision on national security legislation

President of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Legislative Council (LegCo) Andrew Leung said on Thursday he supports the decision by the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on national security legislation for Hong Kong.

"I am supportive of the NPC's decision to safeguard national security and maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong," Leung said at the LegCo Complex, adding that the decision was made out of necessity and urgency in the light of Hong Kong's current situation.

Deputies to the 13th NPC on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to approve the NPC Decision on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Safeguard National Security.

The NPC, according to the decision, entrusts its standing committee to make national security laws to be promulgated and enforced in Hong Kong.

Leung noted that the relevant laws target those acts and activities to split the country, subvert state power, organize and carry out terrorist activities and other behaviors that seriously endanger national security, as well as activities of foreign and external forces to interfere in the affairs of the HKSAR.

"I am glad to see the explanations by both the central government and the HKSAR government that the implementation of 'one country, two systems' in Hong Kong remains unchanged," he said.

The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and international investors in accordance with the law, including freedoms of procession, assembly, expression, publication and of the press, among others, will not be affected, he added.

"I believe the decision will benefit Hong Kong's economic development, better safeguard people's livelihood and properties, and ensure the well-being of the community," Leung said.

He expressed hope that the HKSAR government will work hard in explaining the relevant issues to address the concerns of Hong Kong residents and the international community.

"We should also keep an open mind and adopt a pragmatic attitude towards this legislative work," he said.