The National People's Congress Decision on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to Safeguard National Security was passed on 28 May at the Third Session of the Thirteenth National People's Congress (NPC)of China, to which various sectors of Singapore have paid wide attention. The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore makes the following remarks:

Hong Kong national security legislation is a necessary measure taken by the Congress to safeguard national security considering the current situation of Hong Kong. As an inalienable part of China, the Hong Kong SAR has the bounden responsibility and obligation to safeguard national security. However, since its return 23 years ago, the legal system of Hong Kong for safeguarding national security has been absent. As a result, Hong Kong has increasingly turned into a point of major risks for national security. In the city-wide violence that lasted for more than half a year since last June in Hong Kong, the activists, colluded with overseas anti-China forces, blatantly claimed "Hong Kong independence" and "time revolution".

In such violence, the safety of citizens' lives and property have been violated; social order and economic development have been ravaged; the rule of law has been trampled on. What they have done challenged the red line of the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and posed a substantial threat to national security. As the facts proved, the lack of relevant legislation is a security loophole for Hong Kong SAR and the whole country. Without plugging this loophole, the security and unity of the nation as well as the well-being of Hong Kong people could never be fundamentally guaranteed.

Legislation on national security is the sovereign right and internal affairs of any country. It is the constitutional responsibilities and legislative obligations that the NPC and its Standing Committee are fulfilling to safeguard national security. Any country, be it unitary or federal with a common law or a civil law, is safeguarded by national security laws and has the right to pass legislation to prevent and punish acts that endanger national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. This is not only the basic theory and principle of national sovereignty, but also the common practice of all countries in the world. In accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, the NPC made relevant decisions. This is based on the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and the lofty duty of the NPC to govern the country in accordance to law.

"One Country, Two Systems" is China's basic national policy on the issue of Hong Kong. The legislation on national security is aimed at the sustained implementation of "One Country, Two Systems". The US accusation that this legislation endangers the "One Country, Two Systems" is groundless and ill-intentioned. "One Country" is no doubt the premise and foundation of "Two Systems", and safeguarding national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity is the fundamental requirement of "One Country". Article 23 of the Basic Law clearly stipulates that the Hong Kong SAR has the constitutional responsibility and legislative obligation to safeguard national security, which is an important part of the institutional arrangement under the "One Country, Two Systems". Unfortunately, due to the obstruction and interference of anti-China forces, there is a huge gap between Article 23 and its legislation. If it is left as it is, there is no guarantee for Hong Kong stability, no guarantee for national security and the foundation of "One Country, Two Systems" will be shaken. That the NPC improves Hong Kong's legal system and establishes enforcement mechanisms is to safeguard national security and solidify the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. Hong Kong national security legislation is aimed at criminal acts that endanger national security and foreign forces that interfere in Hong Kong's affairs. The rights and freedoms of Hong Kong citizens, Hong Kong's independent judicial power and final adjudication, and the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors will not be affected. The benefits from "Two Systems" will be better protected.

As a center of international trade, shipping and finance, Hong Kong's stability and prosperity has important bearings on the entire region. Since last June, Singaporeans from all walks of life have expressed their concerns and worries about the turbulence in Hong Kong and voiced an end to riots and chaos. Maintaining a safe, stable and prosperous Hong Kong is the common wishes of Hong Kong citizens and the shared interests of all parties including Singapore.