Hong Kong’s security chief, Chris Tang Ping-keung, criticized Washington-funded news station Radio Free Asia for disseminating “false” reports suggesting that the proposed home-grown national security law aimed to target the media.
Tang’s remarks came after he attended a seminar on the law, which is mandated by Article 23 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.
Tang emphasized that reports from Radio Free Asia, which receives funding from the US government, inaccurately stated that certain provisions under Article 23 were aimed at the media. He clarified that the law’s focus was solely on individuals who could pose threats to national security and not on the media.
Security Secretary, Hong Kong (Credits: South China Morning Post)
“It is wrong, and false. We only target those who could pose threats to national security,” Tang stated, underscoring that there are ample safeguards in place to protect all individuals, including those in the media, during reporting activities.
He highlighted that Hong Kong’s freedom is safeguarded, as guaranteed by international agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
Tang reiterated that various legal frameworks, including the national security legislation and Basic Law, ensure sufficient freedoms for the people of Hong Kong.
“Whether it is under the national security legislation, Basic Law, or the two international covenants, there are sufficient freedoms [guaranteed to the people],” Tang emphasized. Efforts to obtain a response from Radio Free Asia regarding Tang’s comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
