The legislation of Article 23 (national security legislation), in line with international standards, will give Hong Kong more confidence and ability to defend itself against foreign forces, said Nicholas Chan, a Hong Kong deputy to the NPC.
"We have waited 26 years for the enactment of this legislation, and the business sector wants to stabilize the situation," Chan noted, "when doing business in an unstable and politically volatile place, there are certainly unknowns... If HK can expedite the enactment of legislation, it will be able to devote all its efforts to economic development and defend itself more effectively against foreign forces."
Chan also mentioned HK's status as an inalienable part of China's territory.
"If we allow others to use it as a stronghold for the 'independence' of Taiwan, China, Tibet and Hong Kong, and to try to attack and overthrow our proven system, it will affect the progress of democracy and economy for China's 1.4 billion people."
According to Chan, a country can only develop when it is secure.
"Better legislations and regulations relating to national security will give the public an impression that Hong Kong is a place where they can live in long-term peace and happiness."
After the completion of the scrutiny by the Bills Committees of the Legislative Council (LegCo), the legislative process of the Safeguarding National Security Bill has entered the final stage. The LegCo held an additional meeting at 9:00 am today (March 19) to resume the Second Reading debate, committal of bills to a committee of the whole Council, and the Third Reading.
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