The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today held a seminar on the “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems” white paper.

Held at the Central Government Offices, the seminar was attended by Hong Kong SAR Government Principal Officials, members of the Executive Council, the Legislative Council and the Judiciary as well as personnel of various offices of the Central People’s Government (CPG) in Hong Kong.

Chief Executive and Hong Kong SAR Committee for Safeguarding National Security Chairman John Lee delivered a speech at the seminar.

Also speaking at the seminar was Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Deputy Director of Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Zhou Ji.

Mr Zhou is also Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR as well as National Security Adviser to the Hong Kong SAR Committee for Safeguarding National Security.

Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR Dong Jingwei also gave a speech at the event.

Additionally, two keynote speakers were invited to provide an in-depth explanation of the white paper’s essence and key viewpoints.

They are former Director-General of the First Bureau of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Vice President of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies and Tsinghua University School of Law professor Wang Zhenmi; and former Vice-chairperson of the Hong Kong SAR Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Maria Tam.

Addressing the seminar, Mr Lee said the white paper offers guiding significance as an authoritative pronouncement to the Hong Kong SAR. It also offers a cautionary significance grounded in reality as well as an action-oriented significance for practical implementation.

In particular, the white paper details the six principles required in creating high-standard security for the high-quality development of the “one country, two systems” policy. They are: upholding the unity of the central government’s fundamental responsibility and the Hong Kong SAR’s constitutional responsibility, keeping the power of governing the Hong Kong SAR firmly in the hands of patriots, respecting and ensuring human rights, safeguarding security under the rule of law, following a holistic approach to development and security, and safeguarding security with greater openness.

“I will continue to lead the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in safeguarding national security and promoting economic development under the guidance of the holistic approach to national security.

“We will uphold the six principles stipulated in the white paper in safeguarding national security under ‘one country, two systems’. We will do our utmost to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests, and create high-standard security for the high-quality development of the ‘one country, two systems’ policy,” Mr Lee said.

Mr Zhou supplemented that the white paper is of great and profound significance in clearing up confusion and misunderstandings for building consensus, and consolidating Hong Kong's sound transition from disorder to stability and prosperity.

He shared his insights in three areas: First, have a profound grasp of the historical logic behind Hong Kong’s safeguarding of national security, and always adhere to the highest principle of “one country, two systems”.  Second, have a profound grasp of the institutional logic behind Hong Kong’s safeguarding of national security, and always effectively safeguard national security under the rule of law. Third, have a profound grasp of the practical logic behind Hong Kong's safeguarding of national security, and continuously implement the high-standard security for the high-quality development of “one country, two systems”.

Mr Zhou said he strongly believes that the Hong Kong SAR will better co-ordinate development and security, openness and security, as well as traditional and non-traditional security.

It will, he added, proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan with a view to continuously cultivating new drivers and advantages for Hong Kong’s development, thereby safeguarding the new development pattern with a new security framework.

Mr Dong said it is of great significance that the CPG issued the white paper at the critical juncture of the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, a pivotal year for Hong Kong to take new strides in its transition from stability to prosperity.

The document’s issuance, he added, also coincides with a pivotal moment in history when the landmark national security case in Hong Kong - the conviction and sentencing of Lai Chee-ying - was concluded according to law.

Mr Dong highlighted that the white paper shows the great achievement where the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with President Xi Jinping at its core has fully, faithfully, and resolutely upheld the policy of “one country, two systems”, showcasing the new bright future of the city entering a new stage of progressing from disorder to stability and prosperity.

With an unrelenting fight for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, the CPG has always prioritised the safeguarding of national security in matters pertaining to Hong Kong. With security as its safeguard, the “one country, two systems” principle is being upheld and improved for its steady and sustained implementation, he noted.

In his keynote speech, Prof Wang explained why the CPG issued the white paper, its main content and underlying principles as well as ways to effectively utilise the white paper to safeguard the high-quality development of the “one country, two systems” policy under high standard of security.

The professor specifically outlined the need for Hong Kong to maintain security while remaining open, and suggested combining the study of the white paper with the study of the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the national security law, in order to deeply grasp the essence and principles of the white paper.

In her keynote address, Ms Tam stated that she agreed with the white paper's assertion that the Hong Kong National Security Law establishes for the first time a national security mechanism at both the central and Hong Kong SAR levels. It also clearly defines the authority and decision-making powers of the Hong Kong SAR Committee for Safeguarding National Security.

She stressed that Hong Kong is an inseparable part of China and shares a common destiny with the Mainland. The Hong Kong SAR, she added, must be guided by a holistic approach to national security, to ensure that Hong Kong does not become a city that endangers national security.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said it will continue, through various channels, to encourage all sectors of society to organise study and exchange activities to conscientiously learn and grasp the core principles and directives of the white paper, to deepen  public awareness and the correct understanding of safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, to consciously uphold national security, and to make greater contributions to building China into a strong modern country and advancing the great cause of national rejuvenation.