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Chen Zuoer says Macau is ahead of Hong Kong in the implementation of 'one country, two systems'. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Top Beijing adviser raps Hong Kong for lack of national security law

Top Beijing adviser Chen Zuoer puts Article 23 on the agenda as he joins chorus condemning city for falling behind its 'little brother'

A top adviser to Beijing on Hong Kong affairs has put the controversial idea of a national security law for the city back on the agenda by condemning it as "the only place in China" without such legislation.

Chen Zuoer, a former deputy director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, also joined a chorus of Beijing-linked experts in comparing the city unfavourably to Macau in implementing "one country, two systems".

The remarks followed President Xi Jinping's two-day visit to Macau to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its handover from Portugal. In comments seen as targeting Hong Kong as much as Macau, Xi urged young people there to understand the "true meaning" of the "one country, two systems" model.

Analysts see the message from Beijing as signalling a tough line on the affairs of the two cities.

Mass rally at Causeway Bay to protest against Article 23 in 2003. Photo: Dickson Lee
Chen's reference to national security will touch a nerve in Hong Kong. Such legislation - against sedition, treason and subversion - is required under Article 23 of the Basic Law, but attempts to introduce it in 2003 were derailed by huge protests and officials have been reluctant to revive it.

In an interview with Phoenix Television, Chen said: "In the implementation of 'one country, two systems', the 'little brother' Macau is ahead of the 'big brother' Hong Kong in certain aspects, even though its special administrative region was established later."

Taking national security as an example, Chen said Macau passed a law five years ago. "All provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and special administrations in China have [enacted] national security laws but [not] Hong Kong," he said.

The issue of whether the lack of such a law and the months-long Occupy Central protests were connected warranted "deep thought", Chen added.

While no longer an official, Chen remains a key thinker on Hong Kong affairs and was chosen to lead the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, a semi-official think tank created last year.

Chen also hit out at filibustering by Hong Kong legislators, used by pan-democrats to delay government proposals they dislike and recently adopted as a tactic to push for democracy amid discontent over the strict framework Beijing set for the 2017 chief executive poll. By contrast, Macau had a harmonious legislature with the help of a number of appointed lawmakers.

Meanwhile, analyses and commentaries carried by official mouthpieces Xinhua and China News Service also echoed Xi's remarks by praising Macau.

Veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu said Chen's remarks and those of others in Beijing were twisting the notion of "one country, two systems" away from its original intention of preserving Hong Kong's way of life.

He believes Beijing will take a firmer stance on Hong Kong after Occupy despite the potential for a backlash.

"Beijing believes Macau - which has long been obedient - has implemented 'one country, two systems' successfully while Hong Kong has not due to its opposition voices," said Lau. "But this mindset completely deviates from the policy's original goal."

Lau believes Beijing asked Chen to call for Article 23 laws because getting an official to do it would spark an outcry.

"Hongkongers will have to speak up more in coming years," Lau said. "Or else they will find it very uncomfortable living in this city if they refuse to adapt."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: HK 'lags Macau on national security'
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