The Legislative Council on Tuesday convened a special meeting as efforts to pass new homegrown national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law entered into the final stages.

Resuming the second reading of the bill, Legco President Andrew Leung praised the bills committee for scrutinising the bill clause by clause in a series of meetings that ended last week.

Leung said committee members had taken public concerns into account and had made constructive suggestions, which were accepted by the government and resulted in amendments to improve the bill.

He said he agreed that the bill should be passed as soon as possible to protect national security.

Leung said he believed all lawmakers would do their best and fulfil their responsibilities.

"[The] safeguarding national security law, legislating for Article 23, is the constitutional duty of the entire Hong Kong SAR government. I believe the seventh term of the council takes great pride in fulfilling this responsibility," he said.

"I do believe members would like to get this assignment done – which has been due for 27 years – as early as possible, safeguarding national security as soon as possible."

Bills committee chairman Martin Liao, meanwhile, said the government had done a good job in explaining the bill both to council members and members of the public through the legislative process – including during the subcommittee stage.

"Members asked the administration well over 1,000 questions, including quite a lot of situational questions close to the hearts of the public," he said.

"The administration gave detailed and clear replies in the meetings, not only helping members scrutinising the bill, but also enabling the public to clearly understand the legislative intent and the relevant details, thus clearing up misunderstandings and allaying concerns."
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Last updated: 2024-03-19 HKT 10:17