According to Carrie Lam, some radical activists and organisations have curtailed their activities since the legislation was adopted, and street violence has fallen sharply
The Hong Kong National Security Act, adopted this summer, has brought tangible results in restoring order and social stability. Carrie Lam, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said on Wednesday.
“Over the past four months or more, the National Security Act has been extremely effective in restoring stability in Hong Kong”, – she said in her annual address to the Legislative Council.
With the passage of this legislation, she said, attempts to defend Hong Kong’s “independence” and collusion with outside forces have gradually subsided, some radical activists and organisations have curtailed their activities and street violence has fallen sharply.
“After a year of social unrest and fear for personal safety, Hong Kongers can once again enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms under the law”, – said Carrie Lam.
In the summer of 2019, mass protests erupted in this special administrative region of China over the intention of local authorities to pass an extradition bill allowing for the extradition of offenders to mainland China. The riots lasted for several months.
On 30 June this year, the Chinese Parliament passed a law on ensuring national security in Hong Kong. As stated in Beijing, it aims to prevent crimes such as separatism, terrorism, undermining state power and collusion with foreign forces, and provides for life imprisonment as a capital punishment. Western countries have perceived the Chinese initiative as a violation of Hong Kong’s autonomy.