Incoming Hong Kong leader John Lee vows US sanctions will not interfere with safeguarding national security
- John Lee says sanctions imposed by ‘some bullying countries’ will not deter him and his government from their ‘must-fulfil’ responsibility
- Lee was among 11 current and former Chinese officials sanctioned by White House in 2020 over national security law
Lee on Sunday also said he would not bother to lobby for the penalties to be dropped when he assumes office on July 1.
The chief executive-designate and at least 14 members of his governing team highlighted the importance of safeguarding national security, with the incoming justice minister Paul Lam Ting-kwok stressing that it was the city’s “fundamental mission” under the Chinese constitution and the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.
“National security is the duty and responsibility of every single Chinese,” Lee said. “Safeguarding national security is perfectly justified and a must-fulfil responsibility of this term of government and those in the future.
“Some bullying countries have hoped to frighten our officials by using sanctions, especially when their plots to threaten our national security have failed because of our measures. It only makes us more determined to assume the responsibility of protecting national security.
“I only have one goal – which is also shared by my team. That is to fulfil our responsibility to our country and to our country’s sovereignty, security and development interest,” Lee said.
Lee made the remarks as he introduced the line-up of his governing team on Sunday, in which a number of officials with disciplinary service or security background had been picked to fill senior posts, sparking speculations that the new administration would put more emphasis on national security.
