Most opinions in Hong Kong consultation show support for ‘overall goal of enacting Article 23 national security law’, John Lee says

“A lot of opinions subscribe to the idea that this is a piece of legislation that will ensure that when other people want to break into our house, cause harm or damage to us, then the Article 23 enactment should be able to protect us from all these threats, attacks, break-ins and harms,” he added ahead of his weekly Executive Council meeting.

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

He also argued public awareness of the bill was “very strong” after the city went through the “attempted colour revolution” in 2019, referring to the anti-government protests sparked by a now-withdrawn extradition bill.

Asked whether the government would table the bill next month, Lee reiterated that the national security legislation would be enacted as early as possible.

Head of Beijing office overseeing Hong Kong affairs to make fact-finding visit

“The general consensus is that if we can do it one day earlier, we should do it one day earlier because the threat continues and the threat has been mounting, so we must gear up our efforts to ensure that we will do it as soon as possible,” he said.

Among the new offences introduced under the proposal was external interference, which would outlaw acts of using improper means in collaboration with an external force to, among other things, influence the central and local governments in formulating or executing any policy, interfere with the city’s elections or the work of the legislature.

Thomas Gnocchi, head of the EU Office in Hong Kong and Macau, on Monday said it had conveyed its “significant concerns” about the legislation to the government and was particularly concerned about the offence of external interference.

Foreign business chambers and diplomats in Hong Kong previously said they were concerned about risks to investment and potential enforcement standards that could affect their nationals, despite many of them showing public support for the proposed legislation.

Hong Kong needs to better explain security law to foreign businesses: CY Leung

Former city leader Leung Chun-ying and Executive Council Convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee earlier called on authorities to step up their efforts to explain the Article 23 legislation to foreign groups.

Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung on Monday said the government had organised close to 20 consultation sessions with different members of the public, foreign consulate representatives, different sectors, as well as local and international chambers.