Deng Bingqiang, Secretary for security of the HKSAR government, said on the 8th that he was actively promoting the legislative work of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, with a view to launching relevant consultation work before the end of the current government, and submitting the draft to the Legislative Council of the HKSAR for deliberation before the end of this year. Deng Bingqiang made the above remarks at the policy briefing of the Legislative Council Panel on security on the relevant measures of the chief executive's 2021 policy address. He said that with regard to the legislation on Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the parties concerned are striving for time to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities under the Hong Kong Basic Law as soon as possible. Relevant parties will make reference to local past research, overseas experience, the implementation of Hong Kong's national security law and court decisions, and formulate effective and pragmatic plans according to the actual situation of Hong Kong. Deng Bingqiang said that he would not underestimate the difficulty of the relevant work, including the hope of external forces to use any opportunity to affect Hong Kong and national security and discredit the relevant legislative work. Relevant departments will strengthen publicity, education and interpretation through different channels. (Xinhua News Agency)