The freedoms and rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents will not be
affected in any way by the laws to be enacted in accordance with
Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee
Hwa said Monday.
Tung noted that his government has endeavored to safeguard the
freedoms and fundamental rights of residents in the past five
years, adding that "I wish to reiterate that the government would
continue to do so. The freedoms and rights being enjoyed by
residents will not be affected in any way by the laws to be enacted
in accordance with Article 23 of the Basic Law."
The chief executive stressed that the objective of the legislation
is to protect national security, not to restrict the freedoms of
residents.
According to Tung, 27 community, political and business groups in
Hong Kong Monday expressed support for the government to legislate
in accordance with Article 23.
He
stated that the Hong Kong community at large clearly knows that the
HKSAR government and every resident have the obligation to
implement the Basic Law requirement to protect national
security.
"We must do so to realize our fundamental commitment to Hong Kong
and our country. Therefore, we must enact laws in accordance with
Article 23 of the Basic Law," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2002)