In a lengthy article carried by the Wen Wei Po yesterday, Zhang Xiaoming said Macau legislated such a security law in 2009, and now it is time for Hong Kong to respect the mainland's political system and legislation.

Society should be alarmed at opinions that advocate a "referendum" or push an "autonomy movement," he said.

So people need to be watchful for such opinions, he said.

"Article 23 of the Basic Law authorizes the Hong Kong and Macau governments to enact laws to prohibit any act of treason, sedition and subversion against the central government or theft of state secrets," he went on.

"As such, the Hong Kong government, social bodies and the various sectors should fulfil their constitutional duty at an appropriate time."

Zhang, who has remarked previously that "one country" is the cornerstone from where the "two systems" came, repeated his argument that differences in the Hong Kong and mainland systems need to be respected by both sides.

Expanding on that, he said: "The mainland should show respect for Hong Kong's capitalism and effects, while Hong Kong should respect the mainland's political system and its legislation."

Since the 1997 handover, Zhao noted, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has interpreted ordinances in the Basic Law four times, "all aiming to end social controversies."

Some people rejected the right of the NPC to interpret laws, he said, and "even claimed that Hong Kong's judicial independence would be affected ... saying courts in the SAR have rights to judge the interpretation made.

"This show," he said, "they do not respect the central government's power and the Basic Law."