John Lee: Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to be gazetted and come into effect on March 23

The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance will be signed and gazetted on March 23 for implementation, which means the Ordinance will come into effect on the same day, Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee said in the Legislative Council (LegCo) today (March 19).

Lee noted that today is a historic moment that Hong Kong has waited for 26 years , eight months and 19 days for, a historic moment when the sixth HKSAR administration and the Seventh LegCo have jointly accomplished a glorious mission, and a proud moment when the HKSAR has jointly written a glorious history.

"Today, the constitutional responsibility and historical mission of legislating on Article 23 of the Basic Law has finally been accomplished, and the Third Reading has been passed, thus effectively safeguarding national security."

According to Lee, this year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's proposal of the Holistic View of National Security.

"On this day, the HKSAR has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility of enacting local legislation to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law, and has accomplished its historical mission, living up to the trust of the Central Authorities and our country," he said.

Lee mentioned that the Ordinance enables Hong Kong to effectively prevent, stop and punish espionage activities, conspiracy traps by foreign intelligence agencies, and infiltration and sabotage by hostile forces.

"From now on, Hong Kong people will not have to go through these injuries and sorrows again."