Preface

Security is the prerequisite for a country's survival and development, the foundation of social stability, and the safeguard of people's wellbeing. Ensuring national security is a top priority. To maintain national unity and territorial integrity and ensure long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, the Chinese government proposed the policy of One Country, Two Systems and undertook a series of resolute struggles, ultimately resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997.

Since its return to China, the goal of the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has always been to develop a stable and prosperous Hong Kong, but our effort has been obstructed and undermined by anti-China agitators in Hong Kong and hostile external forces, who have employed all possible means in their attempt to turn Hong Kong into an independent or semi-independent political entity, severely challenging the One Country, Two Systems principle. The struggle to safeguard national security in Hong Kong is persistent. The central government bears the fundamental responsibility for affairs concerning national security in the HKSAR, while the HKSAR shoulders the constitutional responsibility for safeguarding national security. The central government fully supports the HKSAR as it forges ahead amid various risks and challenges.

In the new era, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Xi Jinping at its core has fully, faithfully, and resolutely implemented the policy of One Country, Two Systems, emphasizing that its highest principle is to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. In response to the turbulent and changing circumstances in Hong Kong, the central government has applied a holistic approach to national security, and effectively exercised overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has enacted the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – which has been enforced in the region – and ensured that Hong Kong is administered by patriots. With support of the central government, the HKSAR fulfills its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security by effectively preventing, halting, and punishing any activities that endanger national security in the region. Order has been restored in Hong Kong. With sound governance, the city has entered a new stage, advancing towards prosperity and showing signs of an even brighter future.

Maintaining national security in Hong Kong is to uphold the One Country, Two Systems policy, safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and ensure Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. Ultimately, it serves the interests of the nation, Hong Kong and its residents. Practice has proven that security is not an inhibition, but rather a safeguard and a booster. With security, the One Country, Two Systems policy has been upheld and improved, fully showcasing its vitality and strength. Hong Kong continues to develop in a more vibrant and dynamic way, effectively ensuring the wellbeing of its 7.5 million residents and the interests of international investors.

The Chinese government is publishing this white paper to review Hong Kong's endeavors in safeguarding national security and the experience and insights gained in the process, and also to clear up confusion and misunderstandings surrounding the issue to build consensus, and to ensure the high-quality development of the policy of One Country, Two Systems with high-standard security.