"Clarifying Misunderstandings about One Country, Two Systems" China Establishes Shenzhen and Security Departments in Hong Kong

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] China has established new departments within institutions in Hong Kong to strengthen the promotion of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law).

According to Hong Kong Ming Pao on the 24th, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO), which oversees the Chinese government's Hong Kong affairs, posted an organizational chart with two newly established departments on its website the previous day.

The newly added departments are the Publicity Bureau, responsible for promotion, and the Security Office, responsible for security, bringing the total number of departments in the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office to nine. Zheng Jian, Vice Chairman of the China Hong Kong and Macao Research Association, serves as the Director of the Publicity Bureau, and Wang Zhenmin, a professor at Tsinghua University Law School, serves as the Director of the Security Office.

Lau Siu-kai, Vice Chairman of the China Hong Kong and Macao Research Association, stated, "Through the newly established departments, the Chinese government aims to resolve misunderstandings held by some Hong Kong residents regarding 'One Country, Two Systems' and the central government's Hong Kong policies." He added, "They also seek to enhance Hong Kong residents' understanding of the Hong Kong Security Law and respond to malicious criticisms against the central government."

He Zhenzhong, Chairman of the One Country Two Systems Youth Forum, explained, "The Chinese government's decision to bring back two veteran officials indicates that they see the possibility of more legal reforms and strengthened communication in Hong Kong."