Hong Kong CPPCC delegates must be ‘100%’ committed to supporting Article 23 security law, says top state leader on city affairs

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang, who heads Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, meets city’s delegates to country’s top political advisory body

Attendees say he urged swift enactment of home-grown security law, with focus also on developing the economy and advancing internationalisation

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Flags flying in Hong Kong. The city ended a one-month consultation on its security law last week. Photo: AFP

Natalie Wongin Beijing,Willa Wuin Hong KongandZhao Ziwenin Beijing

Published: 7:12pm, 6 Mar 2024Updated: 10:36pm, 6 Mar 2024

Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang has called for total commitment from Hong Kong members of the country’s top political advisory body to supporting the implementation of the city’s domestic national security law.

Ding, the head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, also urged the city to retain its uniqueness by bolstering international ties on Wednesday during a speech lasting around one hour at a closed-door meeting with hundreds of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) delegates in the capital.

“It is always an ongoing process to safeguard national security, and it never ends,” said CPPCC member and Hong Kong lawmaker So Cheung-wing, citing the vice-premier at the meeting.

A screengrab of Ding Xuexiang (centre) at a session with CPPCC delegates in Beijing. One delegate says the vice-premier highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a finance and technology centre in their closed-door meeting. Photo: RTHK

Ding, whose leading group is the de facto highest decision-making body on Hong Kong affairs, also told the attendees that the swift enactment of the law should be at the top of the city’s agenda while the central government would extend full support to the legislation.

The sixth-ranked Politburo Standing Committee member was referring to security legislation that the city is required to pass under Article 23 of the Basic Law, its mini-constitution.

“[Ding said] we must be 100 per cent [committed] in supporting the Article 23 legislation, [it’s] not acceptable with just 99 per cent,” So said, meaning there should be not the slightest hesitation.

Another CPPCC member, Leung Che-cheung, said the vice-premier said the focus could shift after the bill was passed.