- Title: Hong Kong security law is not "doom and gloom," city leader says
- Date: 7th July 2020
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JULY 7, 2020) (REUTERS) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE CARRIE LAM ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "Surely this is not doom and gloom for Hong Kong, I'm sure with the passage of time, and efforts and facts are being laid out, confidence will grow in 'One country, two systems', and in Hong Kong's future.'' NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: ''So I have heard many legal experts especially who have international legal experience who say that this law is a harsh law. Compared with the national security laws of other countries, it is a rather mild law. Its scope is not as broad as that in other countries and even China.'' REPORTERS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: ''Well, if the Foreign Correspondents Club or all reporters in Hong Kong can give me a hundred percent guarantee that they will not commit any offenses under this piece of national legislation, then I can do the same. So, it is not a question of me standing here to give you a guarantee of what you may or may not do in the days and weeks and years ahead. But the law has clearly defined the four types of acts and activities which we need to prevent and curb and punish in accordance with the law. So that's my response to the reporters.'' NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS' (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: ''This is a very important piece of legislation and the Central Government has placed full trust and faith in the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Regions). So the Hong Kong SAR government will vigorously implement this law. And I forewarn those radicals, not to attempt to violate this law or crossing the red line, because the consequences of breaching this law are very serious.'' NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 21st July 2020 05:28
- Keywords: Carrie Lam China Hong Kong National security law Protest
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001CLT6K3R
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong's national security law imposed by Beijing last week was not "doom and gloom" for the city, its leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday (July 7), adding it was untrue to say she was not privy to any of its details before they were announced.
The sweeping legislation punishes what China describes broadly as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with up to life in prison.
It came into force at the same time it was made public just before midnight last Tuesday (June 30), with police arresting about 10 people for related offences the next day.
Speaking at her regular weekly news conference, Lam said the law would restore Hong Kong's status as one of the safest cities in the world after sometimes violent pro-democracy protests last year.
"Compared with the national security laws of other countries, it is a rather mild law. Its scope is not as broad as that in other countries and even China," Lam said, without naming the countries.
The legislation has been criticised by nations such as Britain and the United States, and rights groups, for undermining freedoms guaranteed under the "one country, two systems" agreed as part of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule in 1997, and for giving mainland security agencies an enforcement presence in Hong Kong for the first time.
Lam said cases involving the new mainland agency in Hong Kong will be "rare" and that national security was a "red line" that should not be crossed.
If reporters in Hong Kong could guarantee they would not breach the new law, she could guarantee they would be allowed to report freely in the city, Lam said.
Late on Monday (July 6), Hong Kong released additional details of the law, saying security forces had overriding authority to enter and search properties for evidence and stop people from leaving the city.
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