Zhang Xiaoming, the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said on Monday that the new national security to law to be imposed on Hong Kong will be like installing anti-virus software.
“Once in force, this law will be like installing anti-virus software into Hong Kong, with ‘One Country, Two Systems’ running more safely, smoothly and enduringly,” Mr. Zhang said during a speech warning that the democracy protestors ‘had gone too far’.
He said that the opposition camp radical separatists have been mistaking the central government’s restraint and forbearance for weakness and timidity. “They have gone too far.”, he said.
He said that the law “would target only an extremely small number of people”.
The security law allows for mainland security agents to establish themselves in Hong Kong. This is the first of its kind development in the Hong Kong region.
Mr. Zhang dismissed “rumours” that they might make arrests and send suspects to the mainland.
“National security organisations have to follow the laws strictly when they are handling cases in mainland China, how is it possible for them to become unconstrained in Hong Kong?” he said.
The semi-autonomous region of Hong Kong saw violent protests that began in June 2019 in response to a bill that allowed extraditions to mainland China. The bill was then withdrawn by Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam. However, the protests have gradually gone on to include demands for democracy.
Beijing has maintained the movement is a ploy by foreign powers to destabilise mainland China.