Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), which is popularly known as the Hong Kong national security law, has ensured stability and prosperity in the region and long-term and steady implementation of the "one country, two systems" since its enactment five years ago, according to experts from the HKSAR.
The Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR was passed at the 20th session of the 13th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on June 30, 2020.
In an interview with China Central Television on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the law, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said the concept of national security has been well promoted among the public in Hong Kong over the past five years.
"I've seen great progress in promoting the concept of national security. In reality, there are around 20 aspects concerning national security, including financial security and energy security. Now ordinary people in Hong Kong have gained a better understanding of the broad coverage of the concept. So, I think it has had a positive effect on all residents to safeguard national security," said Lee.
The law has also helped to put the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" into practice, said Gordon Lam, an NPC deputy from Hong Kong.
"We see that since the entry into effect of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong five years ago, the region's electoral system has been improved and the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' has been practiced. Now Hong Kong has restored security and stability, and it is striving for economic development and wellbeing for the people. Hong Kong has once again ranked the third globally among international financial hubs, and its international business environment and the competitiveness of talents have also returned to within the Top 10 globally. It remains the world's freest economy. These indicate the importance of national security in safeguarding economic development," said Lam.
The law-based governance in Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" principle has been well recognized by the Chinese central government and the international community, with the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) headquartered in the region, said Lin Feng, dean of the School of Law at the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK).
"Headquartering IOMed in Hong Kong shows our country's trust in the region and its hope to make it an international 'capital of mediation,'" said Lin. Now Hong Kong is integrating into the national development, playing a unique role in connecting with the rest of the world and cultivating talents, said Johnny Ho, associate vice-president (enterprise) of CityUHK.
"As Hong Kong is integrating into the national development strategy, it is playing the role of a super connector and an added value creator. Hong Kong's universities have unleashed greater potential in talent cultivation, in integration between the government, industries, universities and research institutes, in making innovation breakthroughs, as well as in transforming their talent advantages into a driving force for innovation and entrepreneurship. Joint efforts are being made to promote the development of new quality productive forces in Hong Kong and realize the vision of making Hong Kong an international innovation and technology hub," said Ho.
National security law ensures stability, prosperity in Hong Kong: experts
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi should apologize for and retreat her errouneous aggressive remarks on China's Taiwan region, as the rhetoric in her words could destabilize domestic society and harm Japan's relations with neighbors, Japanese scholars said recently.
Shinako Oyakawa, a lecturer at the Okinawa University who has long focused on security and peace issues, said that Takaichi' remarks are inflammatory, have seriously violated the spirit of Japan's pacifist constitution and caused harmful consequences for the public.
She said that Takaichi needs to issue a clear apology and formally retract her remarks.
Takaichi on November 7, 2025, made blatant and provocative remarks on Taiwan at the Diet, claiming that a Taiwan contingency could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, and implying that Japan might invoke the so-called "right to collective self-defense" for armed intervention across the Taiwan Strait.
"She made such remarks in parliament, the kind of rhetoric commonly used by the 'internet right wing,' sounding exactly like what people in that circle would say. Such remarks give the impression that they are ready to go to the battlefield, even willing to start a war. This kind of rhetoric is extremely dangerous," said Oyakawa.
Oyakawa said that the remarks have caused significant losses and both ruling and opposition parties have oversimplified the issue.
"The remarks have already caused significant damage in various aspects. The relevant figures are still being tallied, and the extent of the damage is truly unimaginable. Both the ruling and opposition parties have oversimplified the issue; or, their attitudes have been ambiguous, out of fear of facing it. However, this is not an issue that can be easily glossed over. She must issue a clear apology and formally retract her remarks," Oyakawa said.
Japan's history education has long avoided or distorted accounts of its wars of aggression launched by Japan against Asian neighbors, leaving few with a true understanding of historical facts. This, Oyakawa said, has further accelerated the overall rightward shift in Japanese society.
"As the number of war survivors dwindles, the practice of distorting history in Japan is becoming increasingly rampant. Almost no one knows about the suffering endured by our Asian neighbors. What the Japanese exactly did abroad and what war responsibility Japan bears are completely absent from textbooks," said Oyakawa.
As an Okinawan, Oyakawa said she strongly feels the government's military buildup has brought fear and anxiety to residents.
"Fighter jets and helicopters fly overhead everyday, and the roar of military aircraft becomes routine. On average, Okinawa experiences several plane crashes or incidents of falling parts each year. The militarization of Okinawa is escalating, bringing fear and unease to residents. I think that this situation must be stopped from further worsening," said Oyakawa.
Koichi Nakano, professor of political science at Sophia University, also criticized Takaichi's leadership, saying her team showed little consideration for relations with China and her remarks damage Japan-China relations and undermine Japan's own economic and social stability.
Nakano also said that Japanese society faces a serious problem, as awareness about and reflection on Japan's wartime aggression continue to fade. He stressed that only by facing up to history and engaging with neighboring countries on equal terms can Japan lay the groundwork for rebuilding ties with China.
"Japan's biggest problem is that the recognition of history with China is gradually fading. The sentiment of reflecting on the aggression history and apologizing for it has not been fully passed down between generations. More and more people are unaware of the historical facts, believing that 'that's all in the past' and that no further apology or remorse is necessary. This is an extremely serious issue. (The Japanese government should) build friendly relations on an equal footing, conduct objective and accurate mutual evaluations of the past and present, and rebuild bilateral relations," said Nakano.
Japanese prime minister should apologize, retract erroneous remarks on Taiwan: Japanese scholars
