Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa yesterday claimed the government's consultation document on Article 23 legislation had received a 'good response and support from all walks of life'.
On a day when two separate demonstrations opposing the legislation took place, Mr Tung hailed support for the anti-sedition law in a speech to mark National Day. Addressing guests at a cocktail reception in the Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Mr Tung reiterated how Hong Kong was obliged to enact the law, saying: 'It's completely necessary and [we are] duty-bound to do so.'
He went on: 'The good response and support from all walks of life in the community in the consultation document on Article 23 legislation are indeed gratifying.'
But Martin Lee Chu-ming, Democratic Party chairman and a member of the now-defunct Basic Law drafting committee, said: 'I believe what Mr Tung sees is very lop-sided. There are many people within the community who are very worried about it.'
Earlier in his speech, Mr Tung called on the people of Hong Kong to refrain from underestimating their strengths because the territory had a good legal system, a free and open economy and a clean government. He said the government's biggest challenge was to lead Hong Kong out of its economic woes and restore confidence in the future.
Some 30 protesters led by the Democrats yesterday marched to petition Mr Tung and Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee over the planned anti-subversion laws. Chanting slogans and waving banners, the protesters marched from Chater Garden to the Central Government Offices.