Thread by @ezracheungtoto

#BREAKING: Speaker for the National People’s Congress, Zhang Yesui, said the NPC will deliberate on a draft bill to establish and improve the legal framework and enforcement mechanism in order to “safeguard the national security” in Hong Kong. #HongKongProtests #antiELAB

“National security is the bedrock underpinning the stability of the country. Safeguarding national security serves the fundamental interest of all Chinese, all Hong Kong compatriots included,” said Zhang. #HongKongProtests #antiELAB

“The fourth plenum of the 19th CPC central committee clearly required establishing and improving a legal framework and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong SAR.”

“The Hong Kong SAR is an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China. The NPC is the highest organ of state power.”

“In light of the new circumstances and needs, the NPC is exercising the power enshrined in the constitution to establish and improve at the state level a legal framework and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong SAR and...”

“... to uphold and improve the institutional framework of “one country, two systems”. This is highly necessary.”

An editorial written by state-owned China Daily applauds such legislation, saying those supporting the bill are “those who have the SAR’s stability, prosperity and rule of law in their hearts” while those averse to it “have an axe to grind when it comes to the Chinese mainland”.

The pro-democracy camp in Hong Kong regards the legislation as a confirmation of “one country, one system” in Hong Kong, saying that was a “huge setback”. “This is one of the saddest days in Hong Kong,” said Tanya Chan.