Lam pledges support to Beijing's HK law
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (pictured center) pledged "full support" to the national security law which was drafted by Beijing for Hong Kong and presented earlier to the country’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress (NPC).
Lam insisted the law's objective is to protect the city's residents, not hurt them. She said the legislation, expected to receive a vote in the parliament in the next several days, is aimed at "effectively preventing" and mitigating the actions that "seriously" harm China's national security. The special administrative region's governing principle will not be undermined by the bill, according to Lam, and the "one country two systems" will stay in effect assuring the city's autonomy remains protected.
"It will also provide the best system to ensure prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. It won’t affect the capitalist system and rule of law in Hong Kong. It won’t affect foreign investors’ interests that are legally protected in Hong Kong," she asserted.
The law received a lot of criticism with several nations worldwide worried that it could be a big blow to the city's autonomy.