Sixth-term HKSAR Government convenes first meeting of Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR

     The sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) convened the first meeting of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR (the Committee) today (September 3).
      
     As stipulated in Article 12 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law), the HKSAR shall establish the Committee for Safeguarding National Security. The Committee shall be responsible for affairs relating to and assume primary responsibility for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. It shall be under the supervision of and accountable to the Central People's Government.
      
     According to Article 13 of the National Security Law, the Committee is chaired by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. Members comprise the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee; the Deputy Commissioner of Police (National Security), Ms Edwina Lau; the Director of Immigration, Mr Au Ka-wang; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip. A secretariat is established under the Committee and headed by the Secretary General, Mr Sonny Au. According to Article 15 of the National Security Law, the National Security Adviser designated by the Central People's Government, Mr Luo Huining, who is the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, sits in on meetings of the Committee.

     In accordance with Article 14 of the National Security Law, the duties and functions 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.