Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief executive of Hong Kong, hold a press conference at Central Government Office at the morning on 19th January 2021. (Calvin Ng / Chinadaily )
The steady and sustained implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle in Hong Kong saw a new beginning last year, as the nation’s top legislature supported safeguarding the city’s constitutional order, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Monday.
The enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on June 30 played a vital role in the special administrative region’s transition from chaos to stability, a key requirement for economic development, the city’s top official told a local economic forum.
Then on Aug 11, the NPCSC extended the sixth term of Hong Kong legislature by at least a year in light of the raging pandemic at that time, addressing the lacuna created by the election postponement.
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On Nov 11, the NPCSC in a resolution created a clear standard for the city’s lawmakers and those who stand to run for elections by stating that lawmakers or those aspire to run will be disqualified if they do not uphold the Hong Kong SAR’s Basic Law and honor the pledge of allegiance to the SAR.
These decisions, passed within a half-year, have enhanced the full implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law of HKSAR, and established a legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in the city, Lam said.
These are all telling moments of the constitutional relations between the central government and the SAR, she said.
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All this has laid a solid foundation for Hong Kong to maintain lasting stability and boost economic growth, Lam added.