The legislative proposals were made public last Monday, a day before they were gazetted. A Legislative Council subcommittee then completed scrutiny of the subsidiary legislation on Thursday through a negative vetting process.
Lee stressed that the laws had to be enacted using “the sooner, the better” rule because of rising global tensions amid a complicated geopolitical situation.
Under the new laws, six locations used by the Office for Safeguarding National Security (OSNS) in Hong Kong were declared as “prohibited places.” Lee said so long as people don’t affect the office’s work or have any intention to affect its ability to fulfill its roles and missions, they can take pictures of these places.
“The subsidiary legislation clearly marks the boundaries of prohibited places of the office using coordinates,” Lee told reporters ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting.
“The office has also put up notices within the prohibited places to inform the public of the boundaries.”
He noted that the laws don’t expand the office’s powers but give clearer definitions over many things, such as implementation details and administrative matters.
“The subsidiary legislation provides a clearer and more detailed description of the powers that already exist under the present law, thereby increasing legal certainty and precision,” Lee said.
The chief executive went on to thank lawmakers for vetting the laws seriously and thoroughly, while affirming the work of officials in explaining the matter.
