Lawful Business Unaffected: CE

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said the National Security Law has not driven people away from doing legitimate business in Hong Kong.

Ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mrs Lam told reporters that no organisation should be worried about their operations in the city provided such operations are done in accordance with the law.

Citing Article 27 of the Basic Law, she said: “The freedom of association, the freedom of assembly, the freedom of speech and so on are being guaranteed.”

The Chief Executive also supported her view by presenting a number of facts.

“According to the latest survey by the Census & Statistics Departments and InvestHK, as at June this year, the number of overseas and Mainland companies that set up offices or headquarters in Hong Kong was not reduced. In fact, it was another record-breaking number of over 9,000 such overseas and Mainland companies established in Hong Kong.

“Some important legal organisations at regional and international levels have also established offices in Hong Kong in the Hong Kong Legal Hub set up by the Department of Justice.”

A worldwide maritime conference was held last week, while the International Chamber of Shipping has set up in Hong Kong its first office outside of its headquarters, she added.

“So these are the facts which will give you the confidence that the National Security Law has not prevented or horrified people from doing their legitimate business in Hong Kong,” the Chief Executive said.