The second lecture of the “Savantas Liberal Arts Academy Public Policy Study Programme Summer 2021” was held on 5 June. Savantas Liberal Arts Academy (SLAA) invited Mr Lai Tung Kwok, National Consultative Committee Member , Executive Vice Chair of New People’s Party and former Secretary of Security Bureau as the guest speaker of the second lecture. The title is “HKSAR’s National Security Law – Past, Present and Future”. Participants can learn about the concept of national security, the difference of National Security Law in different countries, the main content of the “The National Security Law”, the Implementation of the “The National Security Law” and cases of court verdict.

Mr Alex Wong, Policy Director of Savantas Policy Institute, thanked Mr Lai in the welcome speech and Mrs Regina Ip, the Principal of SLAA, presented a certificate of appreciation to Mr Lai.

The sharing was mainly divided into two parts. Mr Lai first introduced the traditional and non-traditional concepts of national security, the responsibilities of HKSAR listed in the Basic Law, and the reasons for the People’s Congress to implement the National Security Law. He also stressed that national security is the most important aspect of the country. In the second part, he described the main contents of “The National Security Law”, such as Article 3 “The Central People’s Government has an overarching responsibility”, Article 4 “Human rights shall be respected and protected”, etc. Then, Mr Lai explained the listed crimes under “The National Security Law” in detail, such as Article 20/21 “Secession Crimes” and Article 23 ” on incitement, as well as detailed information of Committee for Safeguarding National Security and responsibilities and execution capabilities of Police Committee for Safeguarding National Security. To conclude, Mr Lai answered questions from participants, including how to formulate soft power construction of “The National Security Law” and the impact of the implementation of “The National Security Law ” on Hong Kong’s financial status.