Hong Kong has ‘practical plans’ to counter possible Western sanctions over Article 23 law, officials say, warning against closing overseas trade offices

Justice minister Paul Lam Ting-kwok and security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung paired up to defend the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on Monday for the third consecutive day since it took effect.

Asked whether a potential new round of sanctions would adversely affect the city’s investment environment, Lam said the government had already prepared for “unfriendly” manoeuvres by Western politicians after the passing of the legislation required under Article 23 of the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

“We won’t be surprised if it comes. We are mentally prepared and have already devised practical plans in response,” he told a radio show. “We have sufficient defensive capabilities. Part of the new law has enriched our toolbox for dealing with these [situations].”

But he stopped short of elaborating, citing the “complicated” geopolitical situation.

“What I can only say is we have to be fully prepared in order to protect ourselves,” Lam said, adding the government would continue to explain the law to overseas audiences and it expected the increased number of foreign visitors for the city’s recent mega events could mitigate the negative impact of Western “smears”.

Some American politicians had earlier renewed their calls for President Joe Biden’s administration to close the city’s economic and trade offices in the US after Hong Kong passed the legislation.