Lam told the Post in an interview that he currently had no plans to visit the US – where he said he might not be welcomed – and other Western countries in countering the opposing views over the new law, which bans five new types of offences.
“I want to tell the true Hong Kong story, which is a good Hong Kong story. It’s not political propaganda. But it’s subject to two very important preconditions,” Lam said.
“The first issue is safety. It’s not my personal safety. It also concerns the safety of my colleagues who will go with me. The second point is that I need to ascertain whether I will be given a fair and reasonable opportunity to say what I wish to say.”
He cited the “bad experiences” encountered by Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu and education minister Christine Choi Yuk-lin when they visited Chicago and Britain respectively this year.
A group of protesters rallied against Hui outside an event venue, while Choi also faced objections over her visit from anti-China activists, which once prompted her office to say her itinerary might be changed.
“These are things that I must try to avoid because that might result in personal risk issues – not just about myself, but also other people. Secondly, it will not serve its intended purpose,” he said.
“Instead of going abroad, an alternative is to invite people to come to Hong Kong when I have the chance to speak to them. But at the same time they can walk around, they can just speak to other people, people who are not government officials.”
Hong Kong security law will be used, though no arrests in first month: Paul Lam
Hong Kong security law will be used, though no arrests in first month: Paul Lam
Hence, Lam will visit several Middle East countries next month to strengthen the exchange and cooperation between local legal professionals and their counterparts.
“The challenges actually force the government, including myself, to consider going to places where we would not consider going before. Because in the old days, we’re quite used to going to certain countries,” he said.
“But because circumstances change, the challenge means opportunity.”
The Hong Kong administration led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu had refocused the government’s attention towards emerging markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia amid China-US tensions. The focus is on investments and capitalising on the city’s unique position in the country’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Lam emphasised that Hong Kong, as an international city, could not be selective and should “make new friends”.
Hong Kong still attractive to legal talent, Lam says ahead of action plan launch
Hong Kong still attractive to legal talent, Lam says ahead of action plan launch
He said the Middle East countries in the past had relied very heavily on friendship with Western countries, such as the US, but would now also hope to diversify their investment and seize the opportunities offered by China amid the changing geopolitical environment.
As an important financial centre, Hong Kong could serve as the base for these countries to invest in the mainland and the city’s quality legal service would play a key role in making that happen, Lam argued.
“Most investments and businesses require protection of the law and that’s the strength of Hong Kong. We have a very user-friendly legal system in particular to investors and foreign businesspeople, a very independent judiciary, predictable law and regulations and a credible judicial system,” he said.
“These are some of the key attractions that would be essential or would make Hong Kong even more attractive to people in the Middle East.”
