It is necessary and appropriate for the government to add national security conditions into restaurants, swimming pools and other licenses, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said as he defended the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department’s new rules.

Speaking on Tuesday ahead of his weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said the department’s new requirements for licensees aimed to prevent and stop actions detrimental to national security while fulfilling its legal responsibility and obligation.

“[This measure] is both appropriate and necessary,” the city leader stressed.

Lee said the new national security clauses have been clearly explained in the licensing conditions. These provisions also apply to venue leases and issued licenses, including Lunar New Year market stalls and public entertainment venues, he added.

This came after the government added national security conditions to restaurant, swimming pools and other licenses, allowing revocation of permits if holders or their employees and subcontractors engage in any “offending conduct.”

“Offending conduct” refers to any act or activity that constitutes, causes, or is likely to cause an offense endangering national security or is deemed contrary to national security or public interest, according to a government license application guide.

The new conditions are now applied to nearly 20 types of licenses and permits, including general restaurants, factory canteens, swimming pools, places of public entertainment and funeral parlors.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department stressed that the goal is to ensure that different license holders fulfill their responsibility in safeguarding national security, and that law-abiding licensees will not be affected.