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2025
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). In a statement, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said the HKNSL's implementation over the past five years has shown the law to be a “guardian” in upholding the principle of “one country, two systems” and in safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. It added the HKNSL is an important and timely piece of legislation with profound historical significance. The statement stressed that the HKNSL has enabled Hong Kong to make a major transition from chaos to order and has laid a solid legal foundation for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. National security, it said, forms the basis for a country’s existence and development; however, after reunification, Hong Kong had long been “undefended” with regard to national security, with anti-China elements and external forces continuously challenging the principle of “one country, two systems”, and even attempting to seize the power of governance. The Hong Kong SAR Government iterated that unprecedented crises were brought to Hong Kong by the “anti-national education” incident in 2012; the illegal “Occupy Central” movement in 2014; and the Mongkok riot in 2016; as well as the “black-clad violence” and Hong Kong's version of a “colour revolution”, which lasted for more than 10 months from June 2019, severely damaging Hong Kong's societal, economic and business environment and causing the public to live in fear. The central authorities acted decisively at a critical moment for Hong Kong, the statement added. The National People’s Congress (NPC) made a decision on May 28, 2020, on the basis of which the NPC Standing Committee enacted the HKNSL on June 30, 2020. The law was then listed under Annex III to the Basic Law for local promulgation and implementation in the Hong Kong SAR. The statement outlined that the HKNSL addressed shortcomings and plugged loopholes in the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, playing the role of a stabilising force that immediately stopped violence and curbed disorder. It said the HKNSL's implementation was a “watershed moment” in Hong Kong’s transition from chaos to order, as stability and safety in the city have been restored by the law. It added that thanks to the concerted efforts of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Legislative Council and all sectors of the community, the Hong Kong SAR fulfilled its constitutional duty last year by completing the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law. The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), which took effect on March 23, 2024, improved the city's legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security. It said the HKNSL and the SNSO are compatible and complementary, building a strong line of defence to safeguard national security in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised Hong Kong's laws safeguarding national security firmly adhere to the principle of the rule of law, while protecting rights and freedoms in accordance with the law. The business environment, it said, has continuously improved. Hong Kong is the world’s freest economy, ranks third among global financial centres, and recently returned to the global top three economies in the world in terms of competitiveness, demonstrating that it is advancing at full steam “from stability to prosperity”. The statement continued that Hong Kong's laws safeguarding national security also protect human rights, with respect and protections for human rights being embodied both in the provisions of the HKNSL and the SNSO and in their implementation. Both HKNSL Article 4 and SNSO Section 2 stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected and that the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong shall be protected in accordance with the law. These include the rights to freedom of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration. The Hong Kong SAR Government said that the laws' various provisions are in line with international standards, striking a reasonable balance between safeguarding national security and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. It added that the Hong Kong SAR has a solid, resilient foundation of rule of law that is well-recognised by the international community, and that the city's law enforcement agencies take actions based on evidence and in accordance with the law. It also outlined that the Department of Justice, by virtue of Basic Law Article 63, controls criminal prosecutions, free from any interference, while independent prosecutorial decisions for each case are made in a rigorous and objective manner, based on evidence and applicable laws and in accordance with the Prosecution Code. Articles 2, 19 and 85 of the Basic Law specifically provide that the Hong Kong SAR enjoys independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, and that the courts of the Hong Kong SAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. The statement stressed that cases will never be handled any differently owing to the occupation, political stance or background of the persons involved. In addition, HKNSL Article 5 and SNSO Section 2 stipulate that the principles of the rule of law shall be adhered to in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security. These include the principles of conviction and punishment only by the application of the law, the presumption of innocence, the prohibition of double jeopardy, the right of accused persons to defend themselves, and other rights in judicial proceedings that criminal suspects, defendants and other parties in judicial proceedings are entitled to under the law. The statement highlighted that governments have an inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and that this is established international practice. It added that the HKNSL and the SNSO clearly define the elements of offences and related penalties, and precisely target an extremely small minority of people and organisations who commit acts that endanger national security, while protecting the lives and property of the general public. It stressed that law-abiding persons will not engage in acts that endanger national security and will not unwittingly violate the law, and therefore have no reason to be concerned. Since the promulgation and implementation of the HKNSL, the statement highlighted, stability has been quickly restored in society. With the SNSO in effect, it said, the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong SAR residents and of other persons in Hong Kong are even better protected, while the economy of Hong Kong is picking up. The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that safeguarding national security is an ongoing and endless commitment. Citing the “White Paper on China’s National Security in the New Era”, published by the central authorities on May 12, it said external forces have been meddling more and more in China’s affairs, and have attempted to blockade, suppress and contain China through so-called “Hong Kong issues”. As geopolitical risks continue to escalate, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it will strive steadfastly to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to improve its legal system and enforcement mechanisms under the robust protection of the HKNSL and the SNSO, so as to address evolving national security risks and challenges more effectively. The Hong Kong SAR Government will also ramp up its efforts in publicity and education, so as to raise public awareness around safeguarding national security, thereby forming a societal shield to fend off external intervention. It said this will ensure high-quality development with high-level security, contributing to a new chapter in the practice of “one country, two systems”.
The Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Ordinance will come into effect on January 1 of next year, in accordance with a notice published today in the Government Gazette. The ordinance imposes statutory obligations on designated operators of critical infrastructure to ensure they adopt appropriate measures to protect their computer systems. The aim is to minimise the risk of essential services being disrupted or compromised due to cyberattacks, thereby maintaining the normal functioning of Hong Kong society and people’s daily lives. The Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Ordinance (Commencement) Notice will be tabled at the Legislative Council on July 2 for negative vetting.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today issued a strong condemnation of remarks by Consul General of the US to Hong Kong Gregory May, stating that they are untrue, biased and deliberately intended to mislead the public and smear the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Hong Kong SAR’s work to safeguard national security. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that as legal proceedings in the case involving Lai Chee-ying are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case. It urged US politicians to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong’s internal affairs and the independent exercise of judicial power by its courts. The statement emphasised that governments have an inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, in accordance with international law and international practice based on the UN Charter. It added that as the US has at least 21 laws safeguarding national security, US politicians who point fingers at the Hong Kong SAR’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms display only hypocrisy and double standards while entirely disregarding the constitutional and practical needs of Hong Kong, as well as the positive effects brought about by Hong Kong’s national security legislation on its economic development and protection of human rights. The Hong Kong SAR Government highlighted that Hong Kong’s law enforcement agencies take actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law, and that such actions have nothing to do the political views, backgrounds or occupations of persons or entities concerned. It added that anyone charged with a criminal offence in Hong Kong will receive a fair trial as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The statement charged that attempts by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in Hong Kong to procure a defendant’s evasion of criminal justice amount to blatant acts undermining the rule of law and should be condemned. It said the notion that people or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanction for their illegal acts is tantamount to granting them privileges to break the law, perverts the course of justice, and runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. The Hong Kong SAR Government also outlined that extraterritorial effect for offences under the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) fully aligns with the principles of international law and international practice, and is both necessary and legitimate. It added that absconders hiding in the US and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security, such as inciting secession and requesting that foreign countries impose “sanctions” or blockades and engage in other hostile activities against the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong. Such persons, it emphasised, continue to collude with external forces to cover their evil deeds, making it necessary for Hong Kong’s law enforcement agencies to take all lawful measures to combat these acts. The Hong Kong SAR Government said that that it will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the National Security Law, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security. It added that it will concurrently uphold the rights and freedoms of its people in accordance with the law so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”.
The Immigration Department announced today that the Automated Immigration Clearance e-Channel service will be extended to eligible People's Republic of China (PRC) passport holders from tomorrow. Those aged 11 or above who hold a valid PRC electronic ordinary passport can use the e-Channel service, via face recognition technology, when transiting through Hong Kong to or from another country or territory without prior enrolment for the service. The new arrangement does not apply to PRC passport holders entering Hong Kong on the strength of an “Entry Permit for Hong Kong” issued by the overseas Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions. Such passport holders will still have to complete arrival clearance at immigration counters.
The Government today announced that from September 8 the Immigration Department will revise fees for some services, including the issuance of visas/entry permits and travel documents, as well as despatch services for delivery of travel documents to places outside Hong Kong. The Government sets and reviews various fees and charges according to "cost recovery" and "user pays" principles, and fees charged should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full cost of providing the goods or services. In view of this, fees for the services concerned will be increased by 3% to 51% with the aim of achieving full cost recovery gradually. The fees will have little impact on most people's daily expenses and have limited impact on general business activities. The department's measures are being enacted to control the cost of providing the services. Proposed legislative amendments relating to the fee revisions will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on July 2. The revisions will take effect after completion of the necessary legislative procedures. Click here for details of the fee revisions.
The Government has welcomed the Legislative Council’s passage today of the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025, which amends the Trade Unions Ordinance. It said the bill fulfills a duty to safeguard national security and improves the trade union regulatory regime. The amendments strengthen the statutory powers of the Registrar of Trade Unions to supervise and regulate unions. The Government stressed that the amendments give due regard to the freedom and right of Hong Kong residents to form and join trade unions and will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions. It added that the amended ordinance will ensure that trade unions uphold the principal object of safeguarding and promoting the occupational interests of their members, which will be conducive to unions’ healthy development. The Trade Unions (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will be published in the Government Gazette on July 4, and will come into operation on January 5 next year. The Labour Department will step up publicity efforts and publish reference materials to help trade unions understand and comply with the new requirements.
Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan today led a delegation to Guangzhou for a luncheon to exchange views with senior executives of Guangdong enterprises. The delegation included representatives from the Law Society, the Bar Association, Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, the banking sector and the Advisory Group of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers. During the exchange session, members of the delegation gave thematic presentations on Hong Kong's unique advantages as an international legal hub and financing platform. Other presentation topics covered common legal issues in foreign-related financing, and protection of intellectual property rights in going global. The delegation also had an in-depth discussion with representatives of Mainland enterprises. Mr Cheung pointed out that it was the first time for the Department of Justice (DoJ) to bring together representatives from various professions to introduce the city’s unique advantages in connecting the Mainland and the world to Mainland entrepreneurs. Such a cross-professional approach brought multiple professional perspectives, enhancing the enterprises’ understanding of Hong Kong’s position as the best gateway for global expansion, he added. Mr Cheung also emphasised that enterprises need quality foreign-related professional services to assist them in opening up a “safe route” for going global successfully, and Hong Kong’s international professional services are positioned as key partners to enterprises expanding into overseas markets. More than 40 enterprises attended the exchange session hosted by the DoJ, the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong, and co-organised by the Guangdong Chamber of International Commerce. After the session, Mr Cheung brought legal profession members of the delegation to hold a discussion with the Guangdong Lawyers Association, on how lawyers from both places could effectively assist enterprises in addressing practical legal issues arising from going global.
The 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Professional Examination (GBA Examination) will be held on October 25 in Shenzhen and Zhuhai, Guangdong and eligible applicants can apply through the Ministry of Justice website from June 25 to July 4. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said that as the GBA Examination continues to be held and the team of GBA lawyers continues to grow, the pilot scheme fully harnesses the GBA's unique advantage of “one country, two systems and three jurisdictions”, contributing to the construction of rule of law in the GBA. “The pilot scheme will expire next year. We will actively strive for the scheme of GBA lawyers to be regularised." The GBA Examination has been held four times. More than 560 Hong Kong and Macau legal practitioners have passed the examination and obtained the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyer's License to provide legal services in the nine Mainland municipalities in the GBA on specified civil and commercial matters to which the Mainland laws apply.
The Home Affairs Department today said it has reported an impersonation incident in a Facebook group to the Police Force for investigation and contacted the social media platform to request prompt removal of the false content. The department said it took immediate action after discovering an unidentified individual impersonating a Tai Po District Officer and posting a statement under the profile name “Tai Po District Care Teams Alliance” in a Facebook group named “Tai Po”. The department stressed that the content of the social media post and the purported statement were false, and that neither were issued by a Tai Po District Officer or by any District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams). It added that the Government will take serious action in accordance with the law against anyone impersonating a public officer or posting false information purporting to be from Care Teams. The department urged members of the public to remain vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to its hotline, on 2835 2500, or to Police. The public is also reminded to obtain accurate information through official Government channels and to refrain from trusting or forwarding unverified online messages.
The Security Bureau today held a flag-raising ceremony at the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy to mark the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The bureau led the disciplined services, the auxiliary services and disciplined services youth groups, and collaborated with youth uniformed groups subvented by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau for the first time, to hold the ceremony. The Police Band, disciplined services ceremonial guard and youth uniformed groups marched in with Chinese-style foot drill. The Fire Services Department's flag party conducted the ceremony during the playing and singing of the national anthem, accompanied by a fly-past by a Government Flying Service helicopter, and concluded with a performance by the Police Band. Officiating at the event, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law have laid a solid legal foundation for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. The security law is a solid shield protecting Hong Kong, safeguarding the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", and protecting the fundamental well-being of Hong Kong people, he added. Mr Chan also officiated at the award presentation for the literature and art creation competition to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the security law. The competition encouraged colleagues of the bureau and disciplined and auxiliary services to create artistic works on how the National Security Law fortifies national security and protects social stability.