Sun Qingye, deputy head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the SAR, made the remarks on the sidelines of the “Two Sessions” in Beijing.
Speaking in a group interview, Sun, who is also a delegate to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said the SAR government has been implementing the National Security Law well over the past five years or so, but noted that it’ll be good to keep improving the law.
“If there are any issues or problems in our National Security Law, it should be revised, but this is a matter for the National People’s Congress to decide,” he told RTHK.
Sun added that the city’s domestic Article 23 laws helped to complement efforts to safeguard national security.
He slammed certain Western nations for imposing sanctions on SAR officials and judges over the security laws.
“Whether it is from the United States or from other countries, it is unreasonable for them to sanction our judges. We have to support the judges to handle relevant national security cases well. [For those countries], they are wrong and should not impose sanctions. Why don’t they sanction their own judges?” he said.
Sun also rejected calls to pardon Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper who’s on trial for alleged national security offences.
“This should be handled in accordance with the law. Why should special pardons be granted? What are the reasons to grant a special pardon?
“He’s not the son of a certain president, so that the president can pardon him.”
The Beijing official also said it’s important to enhance national security education at local schools, to help raise awareness among youngsters.
