The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region held a meeting today to discuss the implementation of the interpretation and relevant explanations of National Security Law Article 14 and Article 47 by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) on December 30, 2022.

The committee stated that it will fully fulfil the obligations as stipulated in the contents of the interpretation by the NPCSC, and carry out its duties and functions as prescribed in the National Security Law Article 14 in accordance with the law.

They include analysing and assessing developments in relation to safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, making work plans, formulating policies for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR; advancing the development of the legal system and enforcement mechanisms of the Hong Kong SAR for safeguarding national security; and co-ordinating major work and significant operations for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR.

Additionally, the committee said it supports the Hong Kong SAR Government to introduce amendments to the Legal Practitioners Ordinance as soon as possible, so as to handle the matter concerning the participation of overseas lawyers who are not qualified to practise generally in Hong Kong in cases involving national security issues in an appropriate manner.