Secretary for Security Chris Tang said the enactment of legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law protects the interests of business groups and does not affect their operations.

He was speaking on the RTHK programme “Your Home Address”, broadcast on Saturday, in which senior officials discuss government policies.

Tang said the enactment of home-grown national security legislation was long overdue.

“Had the ordinance been enacted earlier, what happened in 2019, the Hong Kong version of colour revolution, may not have happened,” he said.

"There's nothing business people should worry about, because the law only protects how they can enjoy their rights. When you look at 2019, how could you do business in a war zone? How could you do business where people had different ideas with the mob were assaulted and their shops were burned?

“Obviously, it's only safeguarding [their] interest, rather than influencing how they do business here.”

The security chief also reassured business groups and people working with foreign entities that they do not have to worry about the offence of foreign interference.

“You also have other elements [such as] that you use improper means. ‘Improper’ means that it’s illegal or you are using force or coercion... affecting our Legislative Council or the decision of a court. By just having a connection with an overseas entity, even if it is a government entity, it won't end up with an offence.”

He said one of the amendments to the national security bill was to change the offence of “foreign interference” to “foreign interference with the intention of endangering national security”.

Tang added that the government will continue to promote national security education, especially with youth groups. Events such as parades and seminars will be held on the National Security Education Day on April 15.

Looking ahead, he said his next major commitment is to push ahead with legislation to beef up cybersecurity for essential infrastructure, as many of those critical facilities are subject to cyberattacks.