Starry Lee Wai-kin, member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in Hong Kong. Photo: Yusha Zhao/GT
Starry Lee Wai-kin, a Hong Kong lawmaker on the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, told the Global Times after the public consultation period for the Article 23 Bill ended on Wednesday that most of those who submitted comments were He said he is showing support for the article.
In an interview with the Global Times on Sunday, Mr Lee said we all oppose any defamation of Article 23, Hong Kong’s constitutional responsibility. In fact, countries around the world also have laws to protect national security. Mr. Lee said the feedback we have received clearly shows that the majority of the people who submitted comments support this bill.
The public consultation period for the Article 23 bill ended on Wednesday, and local authorities in Hong Kong received a total of 13,147 submissions, of which 98.64% were in support of the bill, the SAR said on Thursday. Announced.
Lee’s comments came after some Western politicians, including British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, criticized the Article 23 bill and raised concerns about issues such as freedom of speech and procedural clarity. Ta.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Chinese Embassy in the UK all expressed dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the comments.
A spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Article 23 of the law is the responsibility of the Special Administrative Region government to maintain national security and implement the Hong Kong Basic Law, the relevant decisions of the National People’s Congress, and the Hong Kong National Security Law. He said that there is. on Thursday in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is also an urgent requirement to ensure Hong Kong’s long-term stability and the steady progress of the “one country, two systems” principle, the spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.
Mr Lee also suggested that the mainland and Hong Kong could optimize the visa application process to bring about frequent people-to-people exchanges.
The Greater Bay Area can also introduce a multiple-entry tourist visa model to Hong Kong for various cities, allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of a one-hour living area. Similarly, Hong Kong can also attract foreign tourists who can visit first and then visit cities in the Greater Bay Area, Lee said.
(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)