Lee eases article 23 fears

Legislation enacted in line with article 23 of the Basic Law will not override other safeguards and so human rights and freedoms will still be protected after a new national security law is put in place by next year, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said.

Lee said in his second policy address on Wednesday article 23 legislation will be completed by next year, two decades after a failed attempt in 2003.

In an interview yesterday, Lee, asked whether his administration should take into account the perceptions of foreign businessmen of the legislation, said businesses favor safe and stable regions in choosing where to invest.

"For example, some regions or countries might be at war, so it will become meaningless to invest there, as their investments will certainly go down the drain," he added.

An article 23 law will lay the foundations to ensure safety and stability, allowing overseas capital to find a haven here, according to Lee.

To address misunderstandings among foreign investors, Lee said there will have to be more "explaining" to do, including communications over press freedom and explanatory work to the international community.

"I will be explaining the legislation in the future to sectors that are particularly concerned by the law, especially the journalism industry," Lee said.

In response to former chief executive Leung Chun-ying's comment that the government did not "distinctively rebut" the international community's misunderstanding and criticisms, Lee said he will listen to all kinds of views and take them into consideration.

He also brushed off comments that Hong Kong was "leaning too far to leftists," saying that the risk of a return to social chaos still exists, therefore his administration has to be aware of it rising from the ashes.

"Although the wound has healed, we should not forget the pain. The black-clad violence caused everyone in the city to panic and no one knows if we will be nabbed by rioters and beaten, insulted or have Molotov cocktails hurled at us," Lee said.

"I agree with [Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office] director Xia Baolong, who said the risks of going back to chaos still exist, a consolidated base has yet to be completed, therefore we should be aware of these risks, and also keep an eye on foreign forces' attempt to intervene," he added.