Hong Kong leader says subsidiary security law ‘imperative’ to tackling threats

John Lee stresses need to complete scrutiny of legislation swiftly, brushing off concerns of insufficient public and Legco discussion

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Beijing’s Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong, located in Tin Hau. Subsidiary legislation of the city’s domestic security law came into force last Tuesday, just one day after it was proposed by the government. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 12:02pm, 20 May 2025Updated: 11:11pm, 20 May 2025

Hong Kong’s leader has defended the swift enactment of subsidiary legislation to the city’s domestic national security law, calling it “imperative”, and compared threats to the city to a “virus” that could prove harmful amid geopolitical tensions.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who recently returned from a trip to the Middle East at the head of a government and business delegation, shared his first remarks on the subsidiary legislation on Tuesday, a week after it was introduced.

Hours after his remarks, two senior Beijing officials called on the city to remain vigilant against external and internal threats, in addition to carrying forward a “fighting spirit” to safeguard national security.

“I have said many times that national security risks are like viruses. The risk always exists around us, poised to cause harm. The world is currently undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace,” Lee said.

“Geopolitics are complex, and global instability is growing. It is imperative to complete the scrutiny of the subsidiary legislation as early as possible to ensure legal certainty.”

The legislation was signed by Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki last week as Lee was in Kuwait for the business trip.

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