Lawmakers are being “given the right to disapprove of government-imposed budgets,” said the Civil Human Rights Front, a pro-democracy group. “During the primary election, the candidates only used their rights to argue their political position, and the voters had the freedom to choose those who are in their favor.”
But Mr. Tong, the cabinet member, said the rights could not infringe on national security. “On the face of it,” he said, “it is the right of legislators to veto legislation,” but if you think more about it, it is not. “
The intentional veto of proposals without really considering it could amount to violating the duties of legislators, he added.
Officials have indicated that their work is far from over. A senior police superintendent told reporters on Wednesday that officers may make more arrests in connection with the primary election. The liaison office of the Central People’s Government, Beijing’s official arm in Hong Kong, has called for the law to be enforced.
“Only when Hong Kong’s national security legislation is fully and accurately implemented, and strictly enforced, can Hong Kong’s national security, social stability and public peace be effectively guaranteed,” the office said in a statement.
Perhaps the clearest sign of Beijing’s desire was to use its power, in which the authorities decided to arrest.
Those arrested under the National Security Act until Wednesday were largely prominent activists, or people who openly protested against the government, such as a man who collided with a motorcycle on a motorcycle, or students who, according to police, said -independent slogans.