Law change proposed by Gov’t: CE

June 10, 2019

Chief Executive Carrie Lam:

This bill is not initiated by the Central People's Government. I have not received any instruction or mandate from Beijing to do this bill. We were doing it and we are still doing it out of our clear conscience and our commitment to Hong Kong. We want Hong Kong to fare well. 

I realised, the Secretary for Security realised, that the focus unfortunately or understandably was on the Mainland because of trust issues, because of the differences in the legal systems. So I did reflect faithfully to the Central People's Government about these concerns and anxieties.

The Central People's Government understands the difficulties and the controversies in Hong Kong and the Central Government supports and respects the views of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, particularly myself, the Chief Executive, and so they have agreed to everything in the additional safeguards that concern the Mainland of China.

We realise that Hong Kong has some major deficiencies which have been criticised by overseas bodies. If you have a chance to look at the Financial Action Task Force, which is coming from the Group of Seven, Western democracies, what did they say in their review on Hong Kong on money laundering and terrorist financing? They said we had a significant deficit, which is undermining international collaboration. So as responsible officials standing here, we are duty-bound to address that deficiency.

I would say that while we will continue to do the communication and explanation, there is very little merit to be gained to delay the bill - it will just cause more anxiety and divisiveness in society. But once the bill is passed, as I said, we will regularly report to the Legislative Council about the implementation of this bill.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government initiated the fugitive law change out of clear conscience, adding she did not receive any instructions from Beijing.

Speaking to reporters in the morning, Mrs Lam said she did not receive any instruction or mandate from Beijing to amend the law.

She said: “We were doing it and we are still doing it out of our clear conscience and our commitment to Hong Kong. We want Hong Kong to fare well.”

Noting that the focus was on the Mainland due to trust issues and the differences in the legal systems of the two places, Mrs Lam pointed out she had reflected the people’s concerns and anxieties to the Central People's Government.

“The Central People's Government understands the difficulties and the controversies in Hong Kong and the Central Government supports and respects the views of the Hong Kong SAR.

“So they have agreed to everything in the additional safeguards that concern the Mainland of China.”

Also, in view of the Group of Seven Financial Action Task Force's criticism that deficiencies in the city's anti-money laundering and terrorist financing work are undermining international collaboration, Mrs Lam said the Hong Kong SAR Government is duty-bound to address these flaws.

The Chief Executive added there would be very little merit to be gained by delaying the bill.

“It will just cause more anxiety and divisiveness in society. But once the bill is passed, as I said, we will regularly report to the Legislative Council about the implementation of this bill.”