Photo taken on Oct. 9, 2020 shows the handover ceremony of the community treatment facility from the central government to Hong Kong's Hospital Authority at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), south China. (Xinhua)
He said the mainland is Hong Kong's biggest partner in almost every aspect, but last year's social unrest had vastly reduced the number of mainland visitors to Hong Kong. The epidemic has only made matters worse, by almost severing regular personnel exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland.
During this year's Golden Week holiday, which started on Oct. 1, the number of mainland visitors to Hong Kong plunged to no more than 1,000.
"Once Hong Kong fully controls the epidemic and realizes regular exchanges with the mainland, half of its economic activities can be resumed. The other half, however, will depend on epidemic management in foreign countries," Leung said.
Regarding social stability, Leung said Hong Kong has gradually returned to peace and tranquility thanks to the national security law in Hong Kong. "The deterrence (of the law) was immediately felt."
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on June 30 this year.
The law, which followed prolonged social disturbances, targets crimes that seriously endanger national security, namely secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements to endanger national security.
Judging from the past 100 days, Hong Kong's national security threat has been initially contained, he said, adding that there was still a way to go in explaining the law to the public.
"We can compare the content and purposes of the national security law in Hong Kong with the similar laws in other regions and compare the national security needs of today's Hong Kong with the similar laws and practices in Hong Kong under the British colonial rule," Leung said.
As Hong Kong residents know more about Hong Kong's history and the present situation, and better recognize the changes undergone by China and the world, they will better understand and support the national security law, he added.
