Ian Grenville Cross, former Director of Public Prosecutions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and senior counsel, stated to the media after participating in the "Academic Symposium on One Country, Two Systems" on June 9 that the Hong Kong National Security Law has successfully integrated into the legal system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, becoming a significant force driving progress and prosperity in Hong Kong. He also pointed out that Hong Kong possesses diverse advantages and immense development potential, and that the Hong Kong National Security Law still requires continuous refinement to safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.
Reflecting on the period from 2019 to 2020, he discussed how anti-China forces attempted to undermine the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, with black-clad rioters causing chaos on the streets, damaging public facilities, intimidating civilians, attacking police officers and their families.
"Anti-China forces understand that destabilizing Hong Kong can weaken China; this is their ultimate goal. Since HKSAR's establishment in 1997, law enforcement agencies have struggled due to the lack of relevant laws to effectively safeguard national security." He emphasized that the promulgation of the Hong Kong National Security Law has reversed the situation, providing robust support for Hong Kong to lawfully uphold national security and ensuring solid guarantees for Hong Kong's return to normalcy.
He further analyzed that the Hong Kong National Security Law possesses inherent flexibility, containing specific provisions to combat crimes endangering national security while also detailing respect for and protection of human rights, incorporating mechanisms for safeguarding human rights.
"Compared to the UK's National Security Law, one can see that Hong Kong's measures for safeguarding human rights are actually lacking in other countries," he said.
Grenville Cross noted that Hong Kong has regained its footing and is advancing continuously, boasting the advantages of a free market and a superior business environment. "In October last year, Hong Kong was rated as the world's freest economy, and recently announced that the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation is located in Hong Kong, demonstrating that Hong Kong can not only serve the national development agenda but will also continue to play an essential role on the international stage, embodying significant development potential. These changes fully demonstrate the critical role of the Hong Kong National Security Law in maintaining Hong Kong's stability and promoting its development," he said.
He also mentioned that since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law five years ago, significant progress has been evident. He said that the law has been consistently implemented in a fair, legal, and rights-respecting manner.
"However, national security is an ongoing task, especially in the current complex geopolitical environment. The Hong Kong National Security Law still requires continuous improvement, regular monitoring of implementation effectiveness, and addressing any weaknesses," he added.
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