The NPC Standing Committee passed the "Hong Kong National Security Law" on June 30 last year. We can see from the political and social situations in the past year that this law is the dividing line between order and chaos. The shocking street violence during the anti-amendment crisis can no longer be seen. The days of people's voices being stifled by "black violence" are gone. Everything from the Legislative Council to the entire administration has returned to normal. Social stability is a prerequisite for the economy. Having come out of the catastrophe, Hong Kong will reach new heights after the pandemic is over. However, the trouble seems endless. The international situation is still treacherous with growing threat on national security. There are still many undercurrents in Hong Kong. So the "Hong Kong National Security Law" must be sustained to prevent chaos. Only then will there be social order.
"Targeted therapy" cracks down chaos origins
In the unrest two years ago, many people at first thought that the discontent in youngsters led to radical movements, putting the blame on deep-rooted conflicts. Later many clues exposed foreign forces and domestic political groups joining hands to undermine the "One Country" policy, create split and achieve "revolution", threatening national security.
Like the "colour revolutions" in other countries, there are always foreign forces behind. They are the results of struggle between international powers, not pure social movements. Hong Kong's political storm is no exception. Former US president Donald Trump launched a new cold war against China. In this engagement of the century, Hong Kong became one of its major chess pieces and a battlefield leaving the society in devastation or unrest.
The "war" pushed Hong Kong to the brink of social order collapse. At that critical moment, the central government acted tough. As the core of the problem is national security, the standing committee drew up the "Hong Kong National Security Law" targeting the unrest origins. Like a "targeted therapy" to wipe out cancerous cells, the law cracked down organizations that started upheavals and cut off their foreign support while stopping all factors threatening national security. The "medical effect" was obvious. Forces with foreign support were disbanded. Organizers were arrested or fled. The "black violence" that once wreaked havoc vanished. The Legco went back on proper track. A peaceful scene not seen in recent years emerged.
The "Hong Kong National Security Law" immediately showed effect not only because it has a clear set of laws, but the central government was also firm about its implementation. The law is not a toothless tiger. The Police Force therefore set up the National Security Department in a short time. Meanwhile, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR started operations. Law enforcement officers swiftly prosecuted a group of people who allegedly violated the national security law to produce a deterrent effect.
Not taking such resolute action would only make Hong Kong pay a heavier price. In the anti-amendment crisis, ten thousand people were arrested for alleged offences. Thousands of those charged and convicted were mostly youngsters and university & secondary students who had been incited into violent movements only to fall behind bars. If more young people take this road of no return as unrest continues, the consequences of a "revolution" will be greater misery.
Coldwarongoing,reinforcedefenceline
The central government had to use extreme measures on this unrest of the century. Being prepared for foreign pressure, it stood firm amid US sanctions on China and Hong Kong. As the destructive power of the opponent's move was nothing more than that, it made the central government act more firmly. After implementing the "Hong Kong National Security Law", it reformed the electoral system to consolidate Hong Kong's defence for national security and political stability.
In the past year, Hong Kong enjoyed peace, but unrest factors were not yet removed. The US is still treating China with a cold war mentality constantly making provocations on Hong Kong issues while joining hands with those exiles as well as separatists in Taiwan and Xinjiang waiting for action. Some local radical groups were also strengthening themselves "underground". Hence, the "Hong Kong National Security Law" must be sustained. Law enforcement must not slacken. It is necessary to abide by the law to ensure justice to establish authority. The political stability will then be permanent.
Many countries have national security laws to deal with threats from a minority. It is not an infringement on human rights. The government should step up publicity and education. The spirit of abiding by the national security law is also an important component of reinforcing protection.
翻譯自六月二十九日《星島日報》社論
（http://std.stheadline.com/）
Vocabulary
stifle(v)——扼殺
prerequisite(n)——先決條件
treacherous(adj)——有潛在危險的
engagement(n)——交戰
devastation(n)——破壞
upheaval(n)——動亂
disband(v)——解散
separatist(n)——分離主義者
UsefulTerms
dividingline——分水嶺
targetedtherapy——標靶治療
behindbars——在監獄服刑
electoralsystem——選舉制度
Didyouknow?
The Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu replaced retiring Matthew Cheung Kin-chung as chief secretary, in a State Council appointment announced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on June 25. The Police Commissioner Chris Tang Ping-keung took over as the secretary for security while Raymond Siu Chak-yee, one of Tang's deputies, became the new commissioner of police.
Q&A
1. The word _____ in the first paragraph is the opposite of "encouraged".
2. Hong Kong became a major _____ piece in the US cold war against China.
3. In the passage, the word _____ means "broken up".
4. The central government was forced to use extreme measures on the unrest of the _____.
5. According to the last paragraph, a national security law is not an _____ on human rights.
Answers
1. stifled
2. chess
3. disbanded
4. century
5. infringement
翻譯︰George
讀社論學英文
