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Opinion | National Security Law: The key to the success of 'one country, two systems'

By Edward Hei Leung, DAB Standing Committee Member

One year after the National Security Law (NSL) enacted, Xia Baolong, the director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, presented a comprehensive review and outlook of the law. The NSL, as emphasized by Xia, has undoubtedly put an end to the era of street violence, terminated the color revolution plot and driven the city back to the road of "one country, two systems". The US government, however, continuously imposes meaningless sanctions using NSL as an excuse. Does the alleged risk truly happen?

The enactment secures long-term stability and prosperity

The so-called NSL risks, in fact, do not deter foreign merchants, especially the Americans, from investing Hong Kong. Since the NSL enactment, the amount of new capital raised in Hong Kong increased by about 50% to over HK$500 billion, together with an 5.6% increase in total bank deposits. Besides, in response to Biden's warning, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham) not only purchases a new flat in Central, but also believes that the territory remains a critical and vibrant facilitator of trade and financial flow between the East and West. The Chamber reiterates that Hong Kong has an internationally recognized system of commercial law, well-developed digital infrastructure, and more importantly, one of the top five financial markets in the world. If the NSL threatens merchants under immense risks of being prosecuted, why does AmCham itself invest into a new premise, particularly in Hong Kong?

Aside from the commercial perspective, NSL also ensures our political stability. It renders opposition activists liable to any proposed or existing actions to paralyze the government. For instance, a total of 47 pan-democrats are now charged under the NSL, due to their intention to indiscriminately block public expenditure last year. Without the internal filibuster and foreign interference, until April 2021, our Legislative Council successfully passed 16 bills and approvals of HK$152.1 billion in funding requests in this legislative year. Ironic though it sounds like, many Hong Kong residents, I believe, have not seen such a highly efficient Legislative Council for a long while. Therefore, NSL inevitably turns over a new leaf of Hong Kong in the pursuit of "one country, two systems".

Does US allow terrorist groups operating their anti-US Facebook Fan Page?

Numerous Chinese officials were sanctioned by the US government, not to mention the latest one upon seven deputy directors of Central Government's Liaison Office. On one hand, Biden administration accuses China of its interferences, namely the NSL, to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy, and infringe the right thereof. On the other hand, US possess a couple of laws safeguarding its national security, including National Security Act in 1947 that formulate its National Security Council, the Patriot Act in 2001 that enhances surveillance procedures to gather foreign intelligence information after September 11 attacks, the Homeland Security Act in 2002 that establish the Department of Homeland Security, to name but a few.

Sad but true, the domestic terrorism is now threatening our territory, in light of the lone-wolf suicidal attack and mass bombing terrorist plot of "Returning Valiant". Worse still, on contrary to US, our NSL is too lenient. One of the obvious evidences is that the Fan Page of "Returning Valiant" still exists on Facebook. Can you imagine similar incidents happening in US?

Unlike Hong Kong, with the support of a computer network named PRISM, the National Security Agency (NSA) in US has obtained unprecedented access to the data processed by nine leading U.S. internet companies, including Google, Facebook, Skype and Apple etc. However, under the NSL, does Facebook adhere to the guidance of Hong Kong Police Force? The answer is crystally clear.

As Xia Baolong said, given the NSL, our society has established a firm wall made of bronze and iron in safeguarding national security. Yet, to me, we still have a long way to go in order to line up with international practice, particularly to the US's standard. Hong Kong was one of the safest cities in the world before the black violence in 2019. Imagine if the NSL was not enacted. How many Hong Kong residents and their livelihood would be sacrificed by the subversive activities?

 

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

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