The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     The Judiciary responds today (December 30) to the interpretation of the Hong Kong National Security Law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress as follows: 

     According to Article 65 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (NSL), the power of interpretation of the NSL shall be vested in the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

     The Judiciary respects the lawful exercise of power by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to make legally binding interpretations of Articles 14 and 47 of the NSL regarding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's performance of its duties in safeguarding national security.

     The Judiciary will, as required by Article 3 of the NSL, continue to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for any act or activity endangering national security in accordance with law, and will, in the exercise of its independent judicial power (including that of final adjudication) under the Basic Law, impartially perform its judicial functions and handle cases involving national security accordingly.

Ends/Friday, December 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:20

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