Legislating Article 23 to benefit HK, nation
(GANG BIAN, China Daily staff)
07/04/2003
Implementing Article 23 of the Basic Law is in line with the interests of Hong Kong and the whole nation, and complies with international legal practice, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said yesterday. He was explaining why it is necessary for the Hong Kong SAR government to legislate at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on a mass demonstration in the city on July 1. The Basic Law stipulates clearly the rights and obligations of the Hong Kong people, and the central government will fully guarantee their legal rights and freedoms, he said. Hong Kong compatriots have reached a consensus on maintaining the territory's stability and economic growth, and the SAR government has expressed its appreciation of advice from all walks of life on the government's work and Hong Kong's long-term development, Kong said. He added that legislation of Article 23 is the internal affair of the SAR government, and comments on this issue from some foreign governments such as the United States and Britain were "unnecessary". The remark came as the Executive Council in Hong Kong held a contingency meeting yesterday to discuss whether to proceed with the second reading of the national security bill. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Tsang Yam-pui warned yesterday that the plan to besiege the LegCo building when the bill goes for a second reading next Wednesday is "illegal". The Civil Human Rights Front, which organized the mass demonstration on July 1, has called for protesters to besiege LegCo next Wednesday. "Besieging the Legislative Council building to the extent of obstructing the operation of LegCo is illegal," Tsang told a press briefing yesterday. "Hong Kong people should avoid taking part in the demonstration. Neither should they advocate such action," Tsang said. On the second reading, Basic Law Committee member Raymond Wu said postponement would not solve the problem. The SAR government is required by the Basic Law to enact a national security law, he said, stressing that six years have passed since when such a law could have been enacted. The human rights and freedoms Hong Kong people enjoy can be fully safeguarded by the Basic Law and the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, said Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam yesterday. On Wednesday, Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) Chairman and Executive Councillor Tsang Yok-sing said that he had suggested to Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa to amend the bill. The suggestion includes repealing the proscription mechanism and allowing the media to use public interest as defence against charges of stealing State secrets. Tsang reiterated his view yesterday morning. He said that so long as citizens abide by the law, they have the right to have their opinions heard. EDITORIAL, Page 6 (HK Edition 07/04/2003 page1)
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