Hong Kong’s John Lee says ‘spare no effort’ as Article 23 national security bill goes to first reading in legislature on Friday
- Announcement follows special meeting on Thursday of the Executive Council, the government’s top decision-making body
- Chief Executive John Lee says he has written to the Legislative Council president, telling him enactment of law is a constitutional responsibility for the entire city
The announcement came after the Executive Council, the government’s top decision-making body, held a special meeting on Thursday afternoon to endorse the Safeguarding National Security Bill, which will be gazetted on Friday.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he had written to the Legislative Council president, telling him that the enactment of the security law was a constitutional responsibility for the entire city, and that Legco should start reviewing the bill as soon as possible.
In a prompt reply, Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen agreed to convene a special meeting at 11am on Friday for the first and second reading of the bill.
Lee said: “Both the government and Legco have the responsibility and must spare no effort in getting the law enacted as soon as possible.”
He added: “Completing the legislative work even one day earlier means we can more effectively safeguard national security one day earlier. [Hong Kong] can then focus its efforts on developing the economy, improving people’s livelihoods and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.”