The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang, has given full support to the passage of the Decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made by the National People's Congress (NPC) at the fourth session of the 13th NPC today (March 11).
Lawless acts of violence and vandalism spread widely following the eruption of opposition to proposed legislative amendments in 2019. Public order and safety were put at high risk and Hong Kong Customs faced unprecedented challenges in the interception of the illegal inflow of controlled and prohibited items such as arms and ammunition. Chaos was halted and order restored following the Central Authorities' formulation and implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law) in a decisive manner last year. The National Security Law serves as a solid and powerful basis for the HKSAR Government's law enforcement agencies to safeguard national security and the city's prosperity and stability.
Assuring the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and improving Hong Kong's electoral system, the NPC's Decision is crucial to the safeguarding of national sovereignty, security and development interests and Hong Kong's long-term stability.
It is no more than fair that Hong Kong should be administered by patriots. It is the crux of and a prerequisite for the successful implementation of "one country, two systems". Hong Kong Customs will continue to uphold its commitment and stand united with other disciplinary forces to safeguard national security and the city's prosperity and stability, offer full support to the HKSAR Government in its implementation of the NPC's Decision, and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".
Ends/Thursday, March 11, 2021