Wide range of opinions taken into account in HK national security law

The process of making the national security law for Hong Kong took into account the opinions of a wide range of Hong Kong society and the legislative work was strictly in line with Chinese laws, Shen Chunyao, a senior official from China's top legislature, said.

"During the lawmaking, including the time before we drafted the law, we collected multiple views and opinions from government agencies and experts relating to Hong Kong affairs, in various channels and means, especially people from all walks of life in Hong Kong," Shen, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body, told media at a news conference on Wednesday.

He made the remark after the NPC Standing Committee unanimously passed the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administration Region on Tuesday. The law has since been added to Annex III of Hong Kong's Basic Law and come into effect.

As well as soliciting opinions from central government agencies responsible for Hong Kong affairs, such as the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, "we also paid more attention to listening to advice from the Hong Kong chief executive and officials working for the HKSAR government and Hong Kong's Legislative Council," Shen said.

"Besides, opinions from those engaged in the legal, economic, commercial and education sectors in Hong Kong were also fully collected during the law drafting and review process," he said, adding that the law reflected the broad consensus, views and aspirations of the entire Chinese nation.

He said the NPC Standing Committee adjusted normal work procedures to speed up the legislation, but stressed the process was strictly in accordance with China's Legislation Law.

Under the Legislation Law, a draft will, in general, become a law after being reviewed three times by the top legislature. But a draft can be adopted after two deliberations if it has broad consensus.

The national security law for Hong Kong was read twice before adoption.