Landmark mission fulfilled

Basic Law Article 23 legislation will be gazetted and then takes effect on Saturday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu says after the Legislative Council unanimously passed the bill at an additional meeting yesterday.

"Today is a historic moment for Hong Kong that we have waited for 26 years, eight months and 19 days," Lee told lawmakers.

"It is a historic moment that the government and Legco completed their glorious mission and a proud moment for the SAR to record a glorious history."

The Safeguarding National Security legislation enables Hong Kong to prevent, stop and punish spy activities and foreign forces' traps and destruction to the city, Lee said. It can also protect the city from riots, violence and the advocacy of "Hong Kong independence."

"We no longer need to worry about the saboteurs' mutual destruction plans and their actions to destroy public facilities, throwing petrol bombs, arson or beating citizens holding different opinions, which pushed Hong Kong to the abyss," Lee said.

"Citizens will never go through all these injuries and grief again starting today."

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said Article 23 legislation is a new starting point for the city to build a national security shield, develop the economy and promote national security education.

Even though the bill has been enacted, the city should remain cautious of malicious attacks and smears from hostile forces, said Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok.

Lam said he will soon explain the law in detail to ease people's concerns.

"The new law will only deter a small number of people who intend to endanger national security. It will not create a chilling effect or affect any normal activities," Lam said, adding freedom of speech, information and capital will be protected.

He also said it will not be abused or used rashly.

During the Legco meeting, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said he was both excited and sad to see the legislation - which he called "his son" - finally "born" after years of attempts and having been beset with difficulties.

He said the legislation has already stipulated that it will respect and protect human rights, and will pinpoint those endangering national security - not law-abiding citizens.

All 89 lawmakers voted in favor of the legislation, including Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, whose usual practice was to not vote at Legco meetings.

"As Legco president, I do not vote in normal circumstances. But Article 23 legislation is not an ordinary legislation as it involves national security as well as the country and the SAR's well-being," he said.

"I decided to make an exception to witness lawmakers unanimously pass the legislation, showing that everyone has a responsibility to safeguard national security."

Bills committee chairman Martin Liao Cheung-kong said government officials have responded to public concerns in a detailed and clear manner, including situational questions that were thrown at them.

Liberal Party chairman Tommy Cheung Yu-yan guaranteed that the legislation is in line with human rights laws as he threw his weight behind it on behalf of his whole party, which broke the camel's back leading to the 2003 bill being shelved.

Election Committee sector lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu said the legislation will make it harder for "enemies to stir up trouble, though they will be lurking to find opportunities to do so."

Social welfare sector lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen said: "The cloud and fog has cleared, but it is not yet time to celebrate.

"It will be a new start after the legislation and the executive and legislative branches should do their job to develop the economy and improve citizens' livelihood."

The Hong Kong Liaison Office said the legislation is a "milestone" that protects Hong Kong's long-term stability.

It is also a "good law" that safeguards both national security and human rights.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said safeguarding national security is to protect the SAR's stability, foreign investors' interest and democracy and freedom in Hong Kong.

The central government's Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong added that the passage of the legislation is "the legal Great Wall" to protect the long-term stability and prosperity of the one country, two systems principle.

Editorial: Now speed up securing the economy