China Issues White Paper on Hong Kong Security

China has released a comprehensive white paper outlining Hong Kong’s efforts to safeguard national security under the One Country, Two Systems framework, reaffirming Beijing’s authority and long term policy direction for the city.

Published on Tuesday by the State Council Information Office, the document is titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems.” It sets out the central government’s position on national sovereignty, constitutional responsibility and the legal foundations underpinning security governance in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The white paper is structured in five sections, alongside a preface and conclusion. It details what it describes as an unrelenting campaign to protect national security in Hong Kong and underscores the central government’s fundamental responsibility for security matters concerning the territory.

According to the document, the Communist Party of China Central Committee, with President Xi Jinping at its core, has fully and resolutely implemented the One Country, Two Systems policy. It stresses that safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the highest principle of the framework.

Beijing highlights its adoption of a holistic national security approach, citing the enactment and enforcement of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The report states that the central authorities have exercised overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong in line with the country’s Constitution and the Basic Law, while ensuring that the city is administered by patriots.

The white paper credits the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with fulfilling its constitutional duty to prevent, halt and punish activities deemed to endanger national security. It also describes Hong Kong’s transition from disorder to stability and prosperity, arguing that high standard security provides the foundation for high-quality development under One Country, Two Systems.

Framing national security as a long-term and enduring task, the document notes that global transformations are accelerating at a scale unseen in a century, creating complex challenges for China’s development environment.

The central government reiterates its firm support for Hong Kong in fully implementing the One Country, Two Systems policy, strengthening its security framework, and ensuring steady progress. Under such conditions, the paper concludes, Hong Kong will maintain long-term stability and prosperity while better integrating into and contributing to China’s broader national development strategy.