July 1 handover anniversary: Hong Kong can reach new heights with renewed commitment to national security and Beijing support, No 2 official John Lee says

Hong Kong authorities remain committed to safeguarding national security and are confident the city can reach new heights with Beijing’s support, acting chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said on the 24th anniversary of its handover from British to Chinese rule.

The new No 2 official, deputising for Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor who is in Beijing for the Communist Party’s centenary, also said on Thursday that the “one country, two systems” governing principle for Hong Kong had proven to be the foundation of its success.

Lee told an official reception marking the anniversary of the city’s 1997 handover that the central government had over the past 24 years successfully implemented one country, two systems, steering the policy through challenging periods.

“Even during the ‘black violence’ that started in the latter half of 2019, and when anti-China troublemakers were trying to use the loopholes in our electoral system to paralyse the government and seize power ... the central government remained unswervingly committed to the intentions of one country, two systems,” he said, using a phrase often favoured by the pro-Beijing camp to describe the 2019 anti-government protests.

Lee, who was promoted to chief secretary last month, said the national security law imposed by Beijing on June 30 last year, which bans acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, ended the chaos in the city while also protecting basic freedoms.