How national security and ‘one country, two systems’ go hand in hand

2026.03.17 01:50 A general view of the Office for Safeguarding National Security at Tin Hau, taken on May 13, 2025. Photo: Sam Tsang On February 10, China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems”. This is the third white paper issued by the Chinese central government on Hong Kong-related affairs since 2014. It reviews Hong Kong’s efforts in safeguarding national security, elaborates on the central government’s stance on Hong Kong’s role in maintaining national security and summarises the experience and insights gained under “one country, two systems”. The document holds significant and far-reaching importance for clarifying misconceptions, building consensus and ensuring the high-quality development of the “one country, two systems” policy with a high standard of security. First, the white paper provides a chronological overview of the struggle to safeguard national security in Hong Kong. Ensuring national security is a top priority. The struggle to safeguard national security in Hong Kong is persistent. During the transitional period prior to the return of Hong Kong, the Chinese government resolutely guaranteed the implementation of “one country, two systems”. After Hong Kong’s return, the constitution and Basic Law, particularly Article 23, provided clear constitutional arrangements in safeguarding national security in the city. However, internal and external complications stalled legislation under Article 23 for an extended period after 1997, which caused serious loopholes in Hong Kong’s legal system for safeguarding national security. Anti-China agitators had long been involved in acts and activities endangering national security. The most severe was the 2019 turmoil, which ultimately evolved into a colour revolution and posed the greatest challenge for the “one country, two systems” practice since the return of Hong Kong. Second, the white

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