Hong Kong residents’ rights and freedoms will be unaffected by the National People’s Congress’ deliberation of a decision to establish and improve at the national level the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the city to safeguard national security.

The Government made the statement in response to foreign politicians' comments on the national security law.

It said that every country has a right and duty to protect national security and sovereignty and to suggest that the city’s sovereign, China, does not have the right to legislate to protect national security in Hong Kong smacks of double standards and hypocrisy. 

The statement pointed out that even the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights stipulate that international covenants on rights and freedoms cannot undermine national security.

Much of the criticism and commentary from politicians and pundits are no more than alarmist speculation and innuendo that completely ignore the constitutional reality that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the Mainland, the Government said.

It emphasised that the city cannot and must never become a base for subversive activities or organisations seeking to destabilise the country.

The proposed law will only target acts of secession, subversion, terrorist activities as well as activities interfering with Hong Kong's internal affairs by foreign or external forces and that the vast majority of law-abiding Hong Kong residents, including overseas investors, have nothing to fear.

The Government noted that in recent days, violent protesters have returned to wreak havoc yet again and such protests have had a massive impact on the city’s economy and social stability and cannot be allowed to continue.

It explained the decision by the National People's Congress to enact the national security law will establish and improve the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for the city to safeguard national security and will make Hong Kong a safe city.

The legitimate rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the law and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, will not be affected. Hong Kong will remain a free, cosmopolitan, open and welcoming city under the rule of law.

The city’s high degree of autonomy and the cardinal principle of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" as enshrined in the Basic Law will remain intact, it said, adding that the long-term stability and prosperity of this vibrant international metropolis under the unique and well-tried "one country, two systems" will be further assured.