Letters | Dual mechanism of national security law exemplifies ‘one country, two systems’
- Readers discuss the enforcement of the national security law in Hong Kong, and gig workers’ rights
The dual mechanism is perhaps the most unique feature of the national security law, for so far no other national law promulgated in Hong Kong requires enforcement by the central government. Under the dual mechanism, the ultimate power of making, enforcing and adjudicating in the national security law belongs to Beijing. The national security committee is authorised by the central government to maintain national security and implement the national security law in Hong Kong.
Mr Xia made it clear that the central government would only step in when the issue cannot be solved by the national security committee and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which means that any other issue related to national security in Hong Kong remains the concern of the national security committee. The arrangement shows the central government’s high degree of trust in the Hong Kong government’s ability to safeguard national security in the region.
It should be pointed out that under the dual enforcement mechanism, the national security committee is enforcing the national security law on behalf of the central government. This explains the overriding status of its decision.
The dual enforcement mechanism demonstrates that maintaining national security in the SAR requires joint efforts by Hong Kong and Beijing. It is a prime example of the organic combination of the “one country” and the “two systems” perspectives for the betterment of Hong Kong.