Business groups in Hong Kong say emphasis should now shift from security to rebuilding economy after Article 23 law gets on the statute books

Chambers of commerce appeal to government to set up a one-stop shop to deal with questions on new national security law and 2020 counterpart

Business leaders speak out after Safeguarding National Security Ordinance passes Legco and comes into force on Saturday

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Legislators vote to back domestic national security legislation on Tuesday. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 12:09am, 20 Mar 2024Updated: 12:37am, 20 Mar 2024

Business groups in Hong Kong have echoed lawmakers’ calls to leave politics behind and move forward to rebuild the economy after the historic passage of the city’s domestic national security legislation on Tuesday.

Chambers of commerce also urged the government to provide further clarity by continuing to engage with the business community and create a one-stop shop to handle any remaining questions about both the new legislation and the existing national security law.

The new Safeguarding National Security Ordinance will come into force on Saturday after the Legislative Council passed the bill following less than two weeks of deliberation to fast track a constitutional requirement that had been put on hold for more than two decades.

Johannes Hack, president of the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, said the city should shift its focus away from security with the new law in place.

“We hope that Hong Kong can now focus on those qualities that have traditionally contributed so much to its success: its openness; its straightforward legal regime and ease of doing business; and its connector function between East and West,” he said.

Johannes Hack, the president of the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong appeals for focus to move to the economy and business after domestic national security legislation enacted. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Some chambers of commerce in the city had previously voiced concerns about the broad definitions of the terms “external forces” and “state secrets” outlined in the consultation document which ended up being largely been retained in the final bill presented to Legco.