駐港特派員：香港國安立法刻不容緩中央維護國安有權有責

2020-05-25

外交部駐港特派員公署網站5月25日消息：2020年5月25日，外交部駐港公署特派員謝鋒就香港國安立法向外國駐港領團、商會、媒體和駐港國際組織代表吹風並現場回答提問，主要內容如下：

一、香港國安立法天經地義、刻不容緩

國家安全是一國安身立命之本，制定國安立法是一國神聖不可侵犯的主權，沒有國家會對危害本國安全的違法行為聽之任之。在這個問題上，國際社會只應有一把尺子，不能容許雙重標準和霸權邏輯，不能把本國謀求國家安全的各種措施視為理所當然，動輒拿國家安全做幌子，無所不用其極，反過來卻對別國依法堵塞國安漏洞污名化、妖魔化，不能把國家安全變成個別國家的特權和藉口。

基本法頒佈已經30年，香港迴歸已經23年，但基本法23條立法在內外反中亂港勢力百般阻撓下至今沒有完成，導致香港處於世所罕見的“不設防”狀態。香港作為國家的一部分，總不能永遠不履行維護國家安全的憲制責任，總不能永遠是座“不設防”的城市，大門洞開、漏洞百出，總不能變成獨立半獨立的政治實體甚至對內地進行分裂、顛覆、滲透、破壞的橋頭堡，總不能任由香港反中亂港分子勾結外國反華勢力制裁香港、對抗國家，總不能讓“港獨”勢力暢行其道、任由極端分子實施暴力恐怖活動而坐視不管！

二、中央維護國家安全有權有責、合理合法

中央政府對維護香港特區的憲制秩序負有最大責任，對“一國兩制”全面準確貫徹落實和特區基本法的正確實施負有最大責任。在國家安全受到現實威脅和嚴重損害，特區政府難以自身完成立法的情況下，中央政府果斷出手，在國家層面進行涉港國家安全立法，是形勢所迫，是內外反中亂港勢力所逼。

國家安全立法屬於國家立法權力。中央政府通過基本法第23條授予香港特區維護國家安全的部分立法權，並不改變國家安全立法屬於中央事權的屬性，也不因此喪失在維護國家安全方面應有的權力。全國人大作為國家最高權力機關，依據憲法和基本法作出關於建立健全香港特區維護國家安全的法律制度和執行機制的決定，具有堅實法律基礎和最高法律效力。

三、國安立法有助於確保“一國兩制”行穩致遠

全國人大作出有關決定，目的就是撥亂反正，堵上香港國家安全的致命漏洞，築牢“一國”之基，最大限度掃除香港發展道路上的障礙、陷阱和威脅，最大限度確保香港在堅守“一國”之本的同時更好發揮“兩制”之利，最大限度維護港人的根本利益和依法享有的廣泛權利和自由。

國家安全有保障，“一國兩制”的落實才會全面準確、運行順暢，香港市民才會更有安全感、確定感、幸福感，香港的發展才會更美好、更穩定、更繁榮，包括國際社會在內所有“持份者”的利益才會更有保障。

四、國際社會應該對香港國安立法安心放心

中央政府貫徹“一國兩制”堅持兩點，一是確保“一國兩制”方針不會變、不動搖；二是確保“一國兩制”實踐不走樣、不變形。

香港國安立法後，“一國兩制”方針不會變，香港實行的資本主義制度不會變，高度自治不會變，特區法律制度不會變，不會影響特區司法機關享有的獨立司法權和終審權。

全國人大決定製定有關法律，針對的是那些分裂國家、顛覆國家政權、組織實施恐怖活動及外國和境外勢力干預特區事務的行為，懲治的是極少數涉嫌危害國家安全的犯罪分子，保護的是遵紀守法的絕大多數香港市民。任何維護國家安全的工作和執法，都將嚴格依照法律規定、符合法定職權、遵循法定程序，不會侵犯香港居民、法人和其他組織的合法權益。

立法不僅不會影響特區居民依法享有的言論、新聞、出版、集會等各項權利和自由，反而會讓這些權利和自由在安全環境下得到更好行使；不僅不會影響各國駐港領館、商會、媒體等依法履職運作，反而有利於優化香港與各國交流合作的社會氛圍，保障各國企業依法經營和商務往來；立法有助於消除本地和外國商界對“暴恐”、“攬抄”等香港社會亂象的極度擔憂，為外國投資者營造法治更加健全、預期更加穩定可靠的營商環境。

對絕大多數在港愛港、遵紀守法的香港居民和外國人士而言，完全沒有必要自己嚇自己、“杞人憂天”、對號入座；千萬不要被別人嚇唬甚至被別有用心者誤導利用；尤其不應該以訛傳訛去嚇唬別人，參加“反中亂港”勢力的抹黑鼓譟，將國安立法污名化、妖魔化，甚至干預阻撓、煽動對抗。

五、中國政府維護國家主權安全發展利益的決心堅定不移，貫徹“一國兩制”方針的決心堅定不移，反對任何外部勢力干涉香港事務的決心堅定不移

在港國際機構及其代表的國家或組織都是“一國兩制”的受益者和香港繁榮穩定的持份者。“一國兩制”行穩致遠、香港繁榮穩定是各方利益最大公約數。

希望各方認清香港問題的是非曲直，實事求是，獨立判斷，尊重事實，尊重法理，冷靜、客觀、公正看待中國全國人大決定，理解、尊重和支持中方依法在港維護國家安全的努力，避免誤讀誤判。

所有持份者應該從香港繁榮穩定和自身在港利益出發，不做傷害香港、傷害自身在港利益的傻事，同求穩定、要發展、護法治的絕大多數香港市民站在一起，與分裂勢力、暴恐分子、外部干預勢力劃清界限，共同守護好、建設好香港家園。

國際社會應該恪守尊重主權和領土完整、不干涉內政等國際法原則和國際關係基本準則，全面準確理解、真心實意支持“一國兩制”，不以任何方式干擾、阻撓中國維護國家安全，不以任何方式干預香港事務、干涉中國內政。

吹風后，謝特派員回答了柬埔寨、埃及駐港總領事、歐盟駐港辦事處主任，日本、阿拉伯在港商會負責人以及路透社、香港無線新聞等媒體關於香港國安立法背景、時機和目的、立法程序和時間表、國安立法對香港自治、居民權利自由、法治、營商環境等方面影響、相關立法的具體內容和執行機制等方面的提問。

出席當日吹風會暨中外記者會的包括：法國、德國、英國、日本、俄羅斯、巴西、新加坡等58國駐港總領事或高級代表、歐盟駐港辦事處主任，美國、日本、英國、阿拉伯、澳大利亞等15家在港國際商會負責人，紐約時報、華爾街日報、金融時報、CNN、NHK、路透社、彭博社、經濟學人、南華早報、無線電視、鳳凰衞視、文匯報、大公報、中央廣播電視總枱、新華社、中新社、中國日報等17家國際、香港和內地媒體代表以及國際清算銀行、聯合國難民署、國際移民組織等國際機構駐港辦事處負責人等共130多人。

附：謝鋒特派員吹風稿（中英文）

謝鋒特派員就香港國安立法向外國駐港領團商會

媒體舉行吹風會暨中外記者會講話稿

（2020年5月25日下午3:00）

外國駐港領團、商會、媒體和駐港國際組織的朋友們，

大家下午好！

今天請大家來，主要是就第十三屆中國全國人大三次會議審議《全國人民代表大會關於建立健全香港特別行政區維護國家安全的法律制度和執行機制的決定（草案）》進行吹風並接受提問，希望有助於大家全面準確理解。

我今天主要講5點，第一，香港國安立法天經地義、刻不容緩；第二，中央政府維護國家安全有權有責、合理合法；第三，國安立法有助於確保“一國兩制”行穩致遠；第四，國際社會應該對香港國安立法安心放心；第五，中國政府維護國家主權安全發展利益的決心堅定不移。

首先，香港國安立法天經地義、刻不容緩。

國家安全是一國安身立命之本，制定國安立法是一國神聖不可侵犯的主權。世界上無論是單一制國家，還是聯邦制國家，無論是普通法國家，還是大陸法國家，都制定有國家安全法，或在其法律中明訂條文，防範、制止和懲治危害國家安全的違法行為。

沒有國家會對危害本國安全的違法行為聽之任之。在這個問題上，國際社會只應有一把尺子，不能容許雙重標準和霸權邏輯，不能把本國謀求國家安全的各種措施視為理所當然，動輒拿國安做幌子，無所不用其極，反過來卻對別國依法堵塞國家安全漏洞污名化、妖魔化，不能把國家安全變成個別國家的特權和藉口。

基本法已經頒佈30年，香港已經迴歸23年，但基本法23條立法在內外反中亂港勢力百般阻撓下至今沒有完成，加上香港原有相關法律長期處於“休眠”狀態，特區維護國家安全的機構設置、力量配備、權力配置存在嚴重缺失，導致香港處於世所罕見的“不設防”狀態。

在去年“修例風波”中，“港獨”組織和激進分離勢力公然鼓吹“香港獨立”，圍攻中央駐港機構，癱瘓政府管治和立法會運作，實施觸目驚心甚至具有恐怖主義性質的暴力犯罪；一些外部勢力肆意插手香港事務、利用香港從事危害中國國家安全的活動，嚴重挑戰“一國兩制”原則底線，嚴重威脅香港國土安全、政治安全和公共安全，嚴重威脅中國國家主權、統一和領土完整，對中國國家安全構成重大而緊迫的現實危害，成為中國國家安全的一個突出風險點。

香港作為國家的一部分，總不能永遠不履行維護國家安全的憲制責任，總不能永遠是座“不設防”的城市，大門洞開、漏洞百出，總不能變成獨立半獨立的政治實體甚至對內地進行分裂、顛覆、滲透、破壞的橋頭堡，總不能任由香港反中亂港分子勾結外國反華勢力制裁香港、對抗國家，總不能讓“港獨”勢力暢行其道、任由極端分子實施暴力恐怖活動而坐視不管！

第二，中央維護國家安全有權有責、合理合法。

國家安全立法屬於國家立法權力。中央政府通過基本法第23條授予香港特區維護國家安全的部分立法權，並不改變國家安全立法屬於中央事權的屬性，也並不因此喪失在維護國家安全方面應有的權力。

憲法第31條規定，“國家在必要時得設立特別行政區，在特別行政區內實行的制度按具體情況由全國人民代表大會以法律規定”。全國人大作為國家最高權力機關，有權力也有責任依據憲法和基本法，根據香港特區的實際情況和需要履行維護國家安全的憲制責任，包括制定與香港特區有關的維護國家安全法律，構建有關法律制度和執行機制。人大作出關於建立健全香港特區維護國家安全的法律制度和執行機制的決定，具有堅實法律基礎和最高法律效力。

第三，國安立法有助於確保“一國兩制”行穩致遠。

“一國兩制”的初心和使命是維護國家主權統一和領土完整，維護香港長期繁榮穩定。“一國”是實行“兩制”的前提和基礎，“兩制”從屬和派生於“一國”並統一於“一國”之內。“一國”原則出現動搖，“兩制”就無從談起。

此次全國人大做出決定，目的就是撥亂反正，堵上香港國家安全的致命漏洞，築牢“一國”之基，最大限度掃除香港發展道路上的障礙、陷阱和威脅，最大限度確保香港在堅守“一國”之本的同時更好發揮“兩制”之利，最大限度維護港人的根本利益和依法享有的廣泛權利和自由。

第四，國際社會應該對香港國安立法安心放心。

中央政府貫徹“一國兩制”堅持兩點，一是確保“一國兩制”方針不會變、不動搖；二是確保“一國兩制”實踐不走樣、不變形。

全國人大決定製定有關法律，針對的只是那些分裂國家、顛覆國家政權、組織實施恐怖活動及外國和境外勢力干預特區事務的行為，懲治的是極少數涉嫌危害國家安全的犯罪分子，保護的是遵紀守法的絕大多數香港市民。任何維護國家安全的工作和執法，都將嚴格依照法律規定、符合法定職權、遵循法定程序，不會侵犯香港居民、法人和其他組織的合法權益。

立法不僅不會影響特區居民依法享有的言論、新聞、出版、集會等各項權利和自由，反而會讓這些權利和自由在安全環境下得到更好行使；不僅不會影響各國駐港領館、商會、媒體等依法履職運作，反而有利於優化香港與各國交流合作的社會氛圍，保障各國企業依法經營和商務往來；立法有助於消除本地和外國商界人士對“暴恐”、“攬抄”等香港社會亂象的極度擔憂，為外國投資者營造法治更加健全、預期更加穩定可靠的營商環境。

對絕大多數在港愛港、遵紀守法的香港居民和外國人士而言，完全沒有必要自己嚇自己、“杞人憂天”、對號入座；千萬不要被別人嚇唬甚至被別有用心者誤導利用；尤其不應該以訛傳訛去嚇唬別人，參加“反中亂港”勢力的抹黑鼓譟，將國安立法污名化、妖魔化，甚至干預阻撓。

第五，中國政府維護國家主權安全發展利益的決心堅定不移，貫徹“一國兩制”方針的決心堅定不移，反對任何外部勢力干涉香港事務的決心堅定不移。

在座各位代表的國家或國際組織都是“一國兩制”的受益者，是香港繁榮穩定的持份者。“一國兩制”行穩致遠、香港繁榮穩定是各方利益的最大公約數。

我們希望大家認清香港問題的是非曲直，實事求是，獨立判斷，尊重事實，尊重法理，冷靜、客觀、公正看待中國全國人大決定，理解、尊重和支持中方依法在港維護國家安全的努力，避免誤讀誤判。

我們要求所有持份者從香港繁榮穩定和自身在港利益出發，不做傷害香港、傷害自身在港利益的傻事，同求穩定、要發展、護法治的絕大多數香港市民站在一起，與分裂勢力、暴恐分子、外部干預勢力劃清界限，共同守護好、建設好香港這個家園。

我們呼籲國際社會恪守相互尊重主權和領土完整、不干涉內政等國際法原則和國際關係基本準則，全面準確理解、真心實意支持“一國兩制”，不以任何方式干擾、阻撓中國維護國家安全，不以任何方式干預香港事務、干涉中國內政。

下面我願回答大家的提問。

（英文版）

Opening Remarks by Commissioner Xie Feng at the Press Conference

on the Hong Kong-related Agenda of the National People’s Congress Session

25 May 2020, Hong Kong

Dear friends from the consular corps, chambers of commerce, international organizations and the press,

Good afternoon.

Thank you for joining us at the Commissioner’s Office. At the press conference today, I’d like to brief you on and answer any questions you may have about the deliberation of the “draft decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security” at the third session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), so as to help you better understand it.

In short, here are five key messages: First, national security legislation for Hong Kong is right and proper and of greatest urgency. Second, it is just and legitimate for the Central Government to safeguard national security, which is both within its power and its obligation. Third, national security legislation will ensure the enduring success of “One Country, Two Systems”. Fourth, the international community can rest assured about the legislation for Hong Kong. And fifth, the Chinese government is rock-firm in upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests. Now let me explain.

First, national security legislation for Hong Kong is right and proper and of greatest urgency.

National security is the very foundation for a country to survive and thrive, and enacting national security legislation is an exercise of a nation’s sacrosanct sovereignty. All countries, be they unitary or federal, of common or Continental law systems, have national security laws or specific provisions to prevent, prohibit and punish illegal acts that endanger national security.

No country will ever turn a blind eye to illegal acts that may jeopardize its national security. This is a consensus of the international community, which allows no double standards or hegemonic logic. It is simply unfair for any country to stigmatize and demonize others’ efforts to plug national security loopholes, while it considers its own national security measures at home as completely justified and even cites “national security” as a pretext against others. In other words, national security should not be a privilege for only a few, or exploited as an excuse.

It has been 30 years since the promulgation of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and 23 years since Hong Kong’s return. But because of the obstruction by the forces trying to sow trouble in Hong Kong and China as a whole, the legislation required by Article 23 of the Basic Law is yet to materialize. Moreover, existing legal provisions in Hong Kong related to national security have long lain dormant. As a consequence, severe deficiencies abound in the institutional building, enforcement capacity and power allocation in the HKSAR for safeguarding national security, and Hong Kong remains an “unguarded” city, highly unusual in the world.

During the unrest following the proposed amendment bill last year, organizations advocating “Hong Kong independence” and other radical separatists openly called for gaining independence from the country, stormed the Central Government’s institutions in the HKSAR, paralyzed the HKSAR Government’s governance and the LegCo, and committed violent crimes, some of which were terrorist in nature. To make things worse, some external forces meddled with Hong Kong affairs and carried out in the city activities jeopardizing China’s national security. All these have severely challenged the red line of “One Country, Two Systems”, undermined the political and public security in Hong Kong, and threatened China’s national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. They have posed a major and imminent danger to China’s national security.

Hong Kong is part of China. It would be unacceptable if the city could never fulfill its constitutional obligation to safeguard national security, if it remained unguarded and full of loopholes, and if it was turned into an independent or semi-independent political entity and even a frontier for secession, subversion, infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland. The troublemakers in Hong Kong cannot be allowed to collude with foreign anti-China forces to impose sanctions on the city and confront China. The “Hong Kong independence” separatists cannot be left unchecked, and the extremists cannot have a free pass to commit violent terrorist acts.

Second, it is just and legitimate for the Central Government to safeguard national security, which is both within its power and its obligation.

The Central Government holds the primary responsibility for upholding the constitutional order in the HKSAR, and ensuring full and faithful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” and the Basic Law. When national security is at peril and the HKSAR Government has difficulty enacting relevant laws on its own because of the forces inciting chaos in Hong Kong and China at large, the Central Government has to act decisively, and enact at the state level national security legislation for Hong Kong.

Legislation on national security falls within a state’s legislative power. While the Central Government authorizes the HKSAR to enact laws on its own to safeguard national security through Article 23 of the Basic Law, it does not change the fact that national security legislation is essentially within the purview of the Central Authorities, nor does it mean the Central Authorities have forfeited the power to uphold national security.

As Article 31 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China stipulates, “The state may establish special administrative regions when necessary. The systems to be instituted in special administrative regions shall be prescribed by law enacted by the National People’s Congress in the light of specific conditions.” As the supreme organ of state power, the NPC has the power and the obligation to fulfill its constitutional duty to safeguard national security in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law and in line with the reality and needs in the HKSAR, in ways including enacting national security legislation concerning the HKSAR, and establishing the relevant legal system and enforcement mechanisms. Therefore, the NPC’s decision to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security has solid legal grounds and the highest legal effect.

Third, national security legislation will ensure the enduring success of “One Country, Two Systems”.

The original aspiration and mission of “One Country, Two Systems” is to uphold national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. “One Country” is the prerequisite for and foundation of “Two Systems”, while “Two Systems” are subordinate to and derive from “One Country”. Should the “One Country” principle be undermined, “Two Systems” would be out of the question.

The NPC’s decision is intended to set things right, plug the lethal loopholes in national security in Hong Kong, and reinforce the “One Country” foundation. It is to eradicate all potential obstacles, traps and threats impeding Hong Kong’s development, ensure Hong Kong to fully leverage the benefits of “Two Systems” while adhering to the “One Country” basis, and uphold Hong Kong citizens’ fundamental interests and extensive rights and freedoms enshrined in the law to the greatest extent possible.

Only when national security is safeguarded can “One Country, Two Systems” be fully, faithfully and smoothly implemented, can Hong Kong citizens have a sense of security, certainty and happiness, can Hong Kong enjoy greater stability and prosperity, and can the interests of all stakeholders, the international community included, be better protected.

Fourth, the international community can rest assured about the legislation for Hong Kong.

The Central Government is committed to two principles in implementing “One Country, Two Systems”: First, to ensure the policy will remain unchanged; second, to ensure it will not be bent or distorted.

National security legislation for Hong Kong will not change the “One Country, Two Systems” policy. It will not change the capitalist system or the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong. It will not change the legal system in the HKSAR. Nor will it affect the independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, exercised by the judiciary in Hong Kong.

The NPC’s legislative decision targets only acts of secession, subverting state power and organizing and carrying out terrorist activities, as well as interference in the HKSAR’s internal affairs by external forces. It is the small minority of criminals jeopardizing national security that will be punished, while the overwhelming majority of law-abiding Hong Kong citizens will be protected. Any work or law enforcement efforts to safeguard national security will be conducted strictly in accordance with legal provisions, mandates and procedures, without prejudice to legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong citizens, legal persons and other organizations.

The legislation will not affect the rights and freedoms Hong Kong citizens enjoy under the law, such as the freedoms of speech, press, publication and assembly, but will only better guarantee them in a safe environment. It will not hinder the performance of duty by foreign consular corps, chambers of commerce and media in the city, but will further improve the climate for exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and foreign countries, and protect the law-based operation of international businesses here. The legislation will alleviate the grave concern among local and foreign business communities about the violent and terrorist forces attempting to mess up Hong Kong with the “burn with us” tactic, and will create a more law-based, reliable and stable business environment for foreign investors.

Therefore, here is our message to the majority of law-abiding citizens and foreign nationals who love Hong Kong: there is absolutely no need to panic, or worry that you may be unfavorably impacted; do not be intimidated or even misled and exploited by those with ulterior motives; and in particular, do not be a rumor-monger yourself, or join the anti-China forces in stigmatizing and demonizing the legislation, still less meddle with or obstruct it.

Fifth, the Chinese government is rock-firm in upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests. in implementing the “One Country, Two Systems” policy, and in opposing any external interference in Hong Kong affairs.

The countries and organizations you represent here are all beneficiaries of “One Country, Two Systems” and stakeholders in a prosperous and stable Hong Kong. Enduring success of the policy and Hong Kong serves the common interests of us all.

It is our hope that you will see the truth and come to your own conclusion on Hong Kong issues. We count on you to respect the facts and the law, view the NPC’s decision in a calm, objective and impartial manner, understand, respect and support China’s legitimate efforts to safeguard national security in Hong Kong, and avoid any misinterpretation or misjudgment.

We encourage all stakeholders to do what is best for Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability and their own interests here rather than the other way around, stand with the majority of Hong Kong citizens who aspire for stability, growth and the rule of law, and stay away from the separatists, violent terrorists and meddling external forces. Together, let us protect Hong Kong, our common home, and make it a better place.

We call on the international community to abide by principles of international law and norms governing international relations, including mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference, fully and accurately understand and earnestly support “One Country, Two Systems”. We call on its members to avoid hampering China’s endeavor to safeguard national security, and refrain from meddling with Hong Kong affairs, which are China’s internal affairs, in any possible way.

Thank you. Now I’m happy to take your questions.