No envoys, business chambers opposed Hong Kong national security law during meetings, minister says

Justice minister reveals lack of opposition to Article 23 legislation as security chief says top concerns among public are state secrets, foreign interference definitions

String of recent meetings over proposed law included discussion between city leader and 100 representatives from diplomatic missions and lobby groups

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(From left) Secretary for Security Chris Tang and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam meet the media about Article 23 at Tamar on Tuesday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 10:03pm, 6 Feb 2024Updated: 1:15pm, 7 Feb 2024

None of the consuls general or business chambers consulted by the Hong Kong government over the coming domestic national security law opposed the legislation despite having areas of concern, the justice minister revealed on Tuesday, as the city’s leader met about 100 representatives of diplomatic missions and lobby groups.

About 50 diplomats from a range of countries including the United States, Britain, France, Canada and Germany attended the explanatory session on the proposed legislation led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, sources told the Post.

They included American deputy consul general Colin Crosby, Canadian consul general Rachael Bedlington and the head of the European Union’s office in the city Thomas Gnocchi.

The public consultation session ends on February 28 and the government intends to pass the constitutionally required law, which will sit alongside a similar one imposed by Beijing in 2020, this year.

German consul general Stefan Bredohl (left) arrives at Tamar on Tuesday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said authorities had hosted more than 10 explanatory sessions since last week, and that in those discussions, offences related to state secrets and foreign interference were more of a concern to attendees.