The vice president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies said on Tuesday that Hong Kong should keep improving its national security laws.

Wang Zhenmin, a law professor at Tsinghua University, described the process of improving national security legislation as a long and gradual one – saying it is always a work in progress and never truly complete.

“Compared with other countries and places, Hong Kong's national security laws represent only the minimum needed,” he told a forum held by the association.

“They neither overstretch the concept of security nor pursue absolute security, making Hong Kong’s national security laws the world’s mildest, the most law-abiding and the most protective of human rights.

“They seek to safeguard security while maintaining development and openness and ensure the prosperity of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ with high-level security.”

Wang also pointed out that national security legislation in China got off to a late start compared with other countries such as the UK and the US.

National security laws in the country, he stressed, are defensive in nature instead of attacking others.

“In recent years, the national security risks and challenges we face are rising significantly, especially with external efforts to suppress the country,” Wang said.

“We must respond to changes in the external security environment and the practical needs of safeguarding national security, and further improve relevant legislation, arming and protecting ourselves with the law.”

Wang also said there are more frequent geopolitical clashes and that many countries around the world are stepping up their national security law efforts.



Edited by Aaron Tam