Article 23 team to fight off smears

The administration will establish a dedicated team aimed at "refuting slanders and smears from opposing forces" surrounding the implementation of Basic Law Article 23, according to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

Lee himself will lead a comprehensive promotional campaign to educate the public about the new national security legislation that the administration intends to enact by the end of the year.

Lee expressed his concern that opposition forces would disseminate propaganda to oppose the enactment of the law. But the team will be responsible for dispelling misinformation and addressing distorted statements on social media platforms.

He encouraged lawmakers to notify the administration if they come across any defamatory or malicious content online.

To ensure a systematic and coordinated lobbying process, "we will establish teams, including a core lobbying team and a supporting team," said Lee.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok and Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung will be core lobbying officials. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po will be involved in supporting roles.

Additionally, three lawmakers - Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and Lai Tung-kwok from the New People's Party as well as Starry Lee Wai-king from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong - have been named as core members of the team responsible for rebuttal efforts.

"All bureaus and departments will also join the promotion and lobbying efforts," Lee said, adding they will go the extra mile "explaining the law to businesses, the media, foreign consul-generals and foreign chambers of commerce."

While acknowledging the rapid pace of technological advancements, Lee highlighted the need for Article 23 to address national security risks effectively.

The Department of Justice and the Security Bureau are currently exploring strategies while drawing on foreign experiences for reference.

There is a societal consensus to bear the constitutional responsibility that has been overlooked in the past 26 years, Lee noted.

"The government had gone through a failed attempt [in 2003]. I believe Hongkongers are being too naive, and they do not know there are many villains lurking around," he said.

"We have experienced the 'black-clad riot' in 2019, and that is a wake-up call for society to plug the loophole. Although we are all gentlemen, we still have to protect ourselves from villains. There is no time to waste in the legislation process," he said.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong said: "We will actively start our explanation to all sectors of Hong Kong, as well as to people around the globe."

Business and Professionals Alliance's Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, who is also an executive councillor, said the business and commercial sectors all support the legislation, which will be helpful in eliminating the risk in their business environment.

Stanley Ng Chau-pei, Federation of Trade Unions president, said the United States and Britain have very stringent national security laws, while his partymate Dennis Leung Tsz-wing said Hong Kong "is a sitting duck being attacked by foreign forces."

Leung said: "The law only targets a small portion of people, and it will create a safer employment environment and attract more foreign investment."

Liberal Party chairman Tommy Cheung Yu-yan said it is fully prepared to scrutinize the bill and that it should be enacted soon.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com