According to John Lee, most of the opinions in the Hong Kong talks showed support for “the overall goal of enacting the Article 23 national security law.”

Last month, authorities unveiled plans to pass far-reaching legislation that they are required to enact under Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution. It will introduce five new crimes to complement the national security law imposed by the Chinese government in 2020.

Lee said the “public comments” expressed at the hearing showed “support for the overall goal of enacting Article 23 to ensure that we are protected when people attempt to harm us.” He said there was.

“Many people agree that this is a law that can protect us from any threat by enacting Article 23, when someone breaks into our home and tries to cause harm or damage to us.” “We agree that these threats, attacks, intrusions, harms,” ​​he added ahead of the weekly executive committee meeting.

Hong Kong should better explain new national security crimes, top adviser says

He also argued that public perception of the bill was “very strong” after the city experienced an “attempted color revolution” in 2019, stemming from the now-rescinded extradition bill. He was referring to anti-government protests.

When asked if the government would submit the bill next month, Lee reiterated that the national security legislation will be enacted as soon as possible.

The head of the Beijing office in charge of Hong Kong issues makes a fact-finding visit

“The general consensus is that if you can do it sooner, you should do it sooner rather than later, because the threat continues and the threat is growing. “We need to step up our efforts to make it possible,” he said.

Among the new offenses introduced under the proposal is external interference, which involves collaborating with external forces and using inappropriate means to infringe on national or local governments, particularly in the formulation or implementation of policies. make it illegal to influence the government or interfere with municipal elections. Or the work of the legislature.

Thomas Gnocchi, head of the EU office in Hong Kong and Macau, said on Monday he had conveyed to the government his “grave concerns” about the bill, and was particularly concerned about crimes of external interference.

Foreign chambers of commerce and diplomats in Hong Kong have previously expressed concerns about risks to investment and implementation standards that could affect their citizens, despite many showing public support for the proposed legislation. He said he was doing so.

Hong Kong needs to better explain security laws to foreign companies: CY Leung

Earlier, former city leader Leung Trung Ying and executive council convenor Regina Yip Lau Sooky called on authorities to step up efforts to explain the Article 23 bill to foreign groups. .

Security Minister Kris Tan Ping Kyung said on Monday that the government had held nearly 20 consultation sessions with various citizens, representatives of foreign consulates, various sectors, as well as local and international chambers.