Govt to set up rebuttal team to explain Article 23 legislation and refute slander

The government will set up a "refutation team" to dismiss false claims and slander against the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law on social media, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said.

In an interactive Q&A session with legislators on Thursday, Lee believed the opposition will smear the legislation work and twist facts on the internet. He also called on lawmakers to report to the government if they see any malicious attacks online.

To address the concerns over the propaganda efforts by hostile forces to spread extensive disinformation and distort the legislation work of Article 23, the government will establish a rebuttal team explicitly targeting social media platforms.

Lee continued that the explanatory work of the legislation will be systematic, with authorities setting up a core explaining team and a supporting team.

The core explaining team will be led by him and will comprise of principal officials including Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok and Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung. 

Lawmakers Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Starry Lee Wai-king and Lai Tung-kwok were also named by Lee as core team members responsible for rebuttal work.

Government bureaux and departments will join forces in promoting and explaining the legislation, Lee added. 

The teams will also reach out to foreign consulates and commerce chambers in Hong Kong, while the District Councils and the care teams will handle the explanatory work at the district level. 

Lee reiterated that national security could emerge anytime with the geopolitical complexities evolving everyday. 

The Hong Kong leader noted that with technologies advancing and espionage activities in the shadows, the legislation work must be visionary.

Regina Ip, who served as Secretary for Security during the 2003 legislative period of Article 23, expressed her delight at having the opportunity to fulfill the unfinished responsibility.

She reiterated that her New People's Party will fully support the government's efforts in implementing the legislation on Article 23.