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
- Acting chief executive John Lee tells officials and dignitaries gathered for 1997 handover anniversary that ‘one country, two system’ is foundation of city’s success
- July 1 marks twin anniversaries of the city’s handover from British to Chinese rule and Communist Party centenary
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“I must emphasise that it is expressly provided in Article 4 of the national security law that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. Therefore ... our citizens continue to enjoy freedoms under the law, including freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of demonstration, and more,” he said.
He quoted a June 12 speech by Lam describing the 1997 handover as a major achievement of the Chinese Communist Party.
The former security minister also said the administration had become more confident in Hong Kong’s future after the past four years.
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“In the coming year, we will continue to firmly safeguard national security and improve the implementation of one country, two systems. We will also be pragmatic in tackling various challenges,” he said. “As long as we stay united, Hong Kong will surely move forward and reach new heights.”
Lee’s comments to hundreds of political, business and community leaders attending a reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai came shortly after he and other top officials led a flag-raising ceremony at the nearby Golden Bauhinia Square.
While the ceremony was under way, four members from opposition group the League of Social Democrats marched from Wan Chai railway station to the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel near the convention centre. Amid a heavy police presence, they called for the release of activists detained or jailed under the national security law.
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The flag-raising ceremony and reception marked the first time since 1997 that the chief executive was not in the city to oversee official celebrations.
Lam, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung and Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po were among top officials attending the party’s 100th anniversary celebrations in Beijing on Thursday.
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Those at Hong Kong’s flag-raising ceremony and reception included former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, Executive Council convenor Bernard Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu, and Liu Guangyuan, the Chinese foreign ministry’s commissioner in Hong Kong.
During his keynote speech, Xi referred specifically to Hong Kong residents as he thanked people from all walks of life for contributing to China’s success.
“The people are the creators of history, and the real heroes. I, on behalf of the party’s central leadership ... express our wholehearted greetings to compatriots in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan,” he said.
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Referring to both Hong Kong and Macau, Xi said: “We must implement the legal systems and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security in the special administrative regions, and to protect national sovereignty, security and development interests.
“We must also safeguard the social stability of the special administrative regions, as well as the long term prosperity of Hong Kong and Macau.”
The Security Bureau earlier warned residents against taking part in any unauthorised assembly after the activist groups lost their appeal against police’s rejection of their application.