The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) as a whole should be responsible for promoting the national security legislation, the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance suggested yesterday.

In the spirit of the accountability system, as initiated by Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, "the 14 principal officials should work together to consult all quarters of the community," party Chairman Ambrose Lau said after a meeting with Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee.

He reiterated that the SAR government has a constitutional duty to enact the law to protect national security.

The previous consultation was handled by the Security Bureau and Department of Justice. But the other bureaus, for various reasons, did not take part.

The party also said since there is no deadline for the legislation, the new round of consultation should be thorough and intensive to incorporate the views of people from all walks of life.

"The scope of the consultation should be wider, with a view of arriving at common ground," Lau said.

The consultation should make people believe the law is a proper balance between national security and the protection of human rights.

Meanwhile, the party will organize a delegation of more than 30 people to visit Beijing from September 7 to 10. Arrangements are being made for them to meet State leaders and concerned senior officials.

While the national security law is a possible agenda item, they will raise topics such as the details and implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between Hong Kong and the mainland.

Lau, who is a standing committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said they are very concerned with the likely problems resulting from the free travel scheme, such as cross-border crime, illegal workers and prostitution.

(China Daily August 21, 2003)