Lam welcomes appointment of national security officials

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor welcomed officials appointed by the State Council into the newly established bodies concerning national security in the special administrative region.

Greeting new officials in a statement on Friday afternoon, Lam also pledged utmost efforts to work with National Security Advisor Luo Huining as well as Zheng Yanxiong, head of newly established Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Luo is also the central government's liaison chief in the SAR.

According to the newly promulgated national security law for HK, which took effect on June 30, the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR chaired by Lam shall be responsible for affairs relating to and assume primary responsibility for safeguarding national security in the SAR. It shall be under the supervision of and accountable to the central government.

The committee shall have a national security adviser, who shall be designated by the central government and provide advice on matters relating to the duties and functions of the committee. The adviser shall sit in on meetings of the committee.

Correspondingly, the role of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the SAR is to analyze and assess developments in relation to safeguarding national security in the SAR, and provide opinions and making proposals on major strategies and important policies for safeguarding national security; oversee, guide, coordinate with, and provide support to the SAR concerning national security; collect and analyze intelligence and information concerning national security; and handle cases concerning offence endangering national security in accordance with the law.