Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR convenes first meeting (with photo)

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) established the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR (the Committee) on July 3 in accordance with Article 12 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the National Security Law). The Committee today (July 6) convened its first meeting, which was attended by all its members. The National Security Adviser appointed by the Central People's Government also sat in on the meeting.
      
     The Committee is chaired by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam. The members comprise the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC; the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Deputy Commissioner of Police (National Security), Ms Edwina Lau; the Director of Immigration, Mr Au Ka-wang; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki. Mr Chan Kwok-ki is also the Secretary General of the Committee.
      
     As stipulated in Article 15 of the National Security Law, the Committee shall have a National Security Adviser, who shall provide advice on matters relating to the duties and functions of the Committee in safeguarding national security. The National Security Adviser shall sit in on meetings of the Committee. The State Council has appointed Mr Luo Huining as the National Security Adviser earlier.
      
     According to Article 14 of the National Security Law, the duties of the Committee shall be (1) analysing and assessing developments in relation to safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, making work plans and formulating policies for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR; (2) advancing the development of the legal system and enforcement mechanisms of the HKSAR for safeguarding national security; and (3) co-ordinating major work and significant operations for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. Article 14 of the National Security Law also stipulates that no institution, organisation or individual in the HKSAR shall interfere with the work of the Committee. Information relating to the work of the Committee shall not be subject to disclosure. Decisions made by the Committee shall not be amenable to judicial review.