ExCo greenlights regulations for National Security Committee bill

[Photo; Renato Marques]

The Secretary for Administration and Justice and Executive Council (ExCo) spokesperson, Wong Sio Chak, announced the completion of the review of the draft administrative regulation outlining the organization and operation of the Secretariat of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Wong revealed that discussions on the draft administrative regulation governing the committee’s secretariat were finalized just one day after lawmakers unanimously approved the National Security Committee bill in the Legislative Assembly.

Wong further disclosed that the secretariat will have a total staffing of 34 personnel. The secretary-general, deputy secretaries-general, and assistant secretaries-general will be appointed by the Chief Executive (CE), Sam Hou Fai, and their names will be made public.

The secretariat will be organized into five departments: policy research, risk prevention and control, liaison and coordination, publicity and education, and general support.

However, for security reasons, the identities of the five department heads and the remaining 24 staff members will be protected by law and will not be published in the Official Gazette, Wong said.

He added, “The law was already approved by the Legislative Assembly yesterday. Of course, the recruitment and selection of staff will be very rigorous.”

He also noted that appointments would be made in accordance with the law through various models, including secondment, direct hiring, and administrative contracts, ensuring that all hiring processes comply with legal requirements and maintain the highest standards of integrity.

When asked how cultural matters would be safeguarded under the new framework, Wong explained that the scope of national security extends beyond traditional domains such as defense and public order.

“The Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) has an important role to play in cultural cultivation, particularly in fostering an understanding of Chinese culture and its traditional heritage,” he said. “This is extremely important. Going forward, DSEDJ, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), and other culture-related sectors will have significant responsibilities in the area of cultural security.”

Wong noted that such work would be carried out by the secretariat in accordance with the relevant directives of the committee, ensuring a coordinated approach across different policy areas.

Under the newly passed law establishing the committee, several significant legal provisions have been introduced. Restrictions will be placed on the appointment of lawyers in related matters, and closed-door sessions will be permitted in national security cases to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of proceedings.

Additionally, decisions made by the committee, which will have authority over areas such as the internet, audiovisual broadcasting, and culture, will be final and cannot be appealed.