“To resist espionage activities and the infiltration of intelligence units from various countries, it is necessary to strengthen training on intelligence gathering capabilities and analysis.”
The city leader was speaking on the fourth day since the new law took effect, after the key officials spearheading the earlier legislative efforts paired up to defend the new law in a string of media interviews.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, one of the officials, also said the government had prepared a plan to respond to the “unfriendly” manoeuvres by Western politicians.
Foreign firms in Hong Kong review operations for domestic national security law
Foreign firms in Hong Kong review operations for domestic national security law
Lee did not elaborate on the plan on Tuesday, but said many overseas politicians and organisations would continue “to attack Hong Kong and our law” because of their political interests and aims.
“A lot of them turn a blind eye to what we have done when we have so confidently and openly written the protection and safeguarding of human rights and freedoms into our law, which may not be the case in their own countries’ law,” he said.
“So when people do all these attacks, [we should] think not just twice, but thrice. Who are the people who are saying this? And in recent [court] cases, we see that there is evidence to indicate overseas politicians have been actively interfering with Hong Kong affairs.”
Lee said the government would continue to explain the merits of the legislation, which was a “defensive law to protect our own interests”, and the city’s prosperity would only come with stability and security.
“We will, of course, during our visit to overseas countries, continue to inform the business sector of the advantage of this law, which is to create stability and security, without which no investment can ever hope to thrive,” he said.
“We’ll also be coordinating with people from different sectors when they are overseas on their business trips or when they form delegations to do their work, they will tell people of different countries, the business sector in particular, what this law is all about … I’m sure that a lot of people who love Hong Kong are very willing to do [so].”
Hong Kong has ‘practical plans’ to counter Article 23 law sanctions: officials
Hong Kong has ‘practical plans’ to counter Article 23 law sanctions: officials
Lee said the city could now concentrate on promoting the economy and development on four fronts.
The four areas are implementing measures suggested in the latest policy address and budget, seizing opportunities overseas and in mainland China, enhancing competitiveness and developing the local economy.
Hong Kong’s leader also said boosting tourism, consumption and investment were among his economic development goals, adding that many major events were in the pipeline and the number of visitors this year was expected to reach 50 million.
The city welcomed 34 million visitors last year, according to the Tourism Board.
The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance came into force last Saturday after it sped through the legislature in a marathon review session just 50 days after the launch of a month-long public consultation.
The legislation complements the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020, covering 39 offences divided into five categories: treason; insurrection, incitement to mutiny and disaffection and acts with seditious intention; sabotage; external interference endangering national security; and theft of state secrets and espionage.
