China’s State Council Information Office has unveiled a significant policy document titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems” on Tuesday. This comprehensive white paper provides a detailed examination of the implementation and future trajectory of national security measures within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The document’s release follows closely on the heels of the Hong Kong High Court’s sentencing of former media magnate Jimmy Lai Chee-ying to 20 years imprisonment. Lai’s December conviction for activities compromising national security received immediate endorsement from both central authorities and Hong Kong’s administrative leadership.
This policy framework systematically outlines the legal foundations, operational necessities, and accomplished milestones in Hong Kong’s national security preservation efforts. It emphatically states that protecting national sovereignty, security, and developmental interests constitutes the “supreme principle” governing the implementation of the “one country, two systems” doctrine.
Addressing Hong Kong’s evolving political landscape, the white paper clarifies that the central government has consistently upheld a comprehensive national security perspective while exercising its constitutional jurisdiction in accordance with China’s Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law.
The document further emphasizes Beijing’s unwavering commitment to supporting Hong Kong in establishing robust security protocols, mitigating significant risks, and expanding its global connectivity regardless of international geopolitical shifts.
Official responses from multiple government entities have welcomed the white paper. The State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office described it as consolidating essential insights and experiences for maintaining national security under the established framework. The Central Government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong characterized the document as a “new starting point” for enhancing the city’s security infrastructure while supporting its continued high-quality development.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu endorsed the white paper as providing practical guidance that “comes at just the right time,” urging all sectors within Hong Kong to thoroughly study and implement its directives.