On February 10, 2026, the Information Office of the Council of China published a white paper entitled “Protecting China’s National Security under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems: Hong Kong”. John Lee, Chief of Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), welcomed this white paper and made a commitment to implement it with full support. This white paper points to a new phase of consolidation of the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” in terms of national security.
This document systematically sets out the process of fulfilling Hong Kong’s constitutional responsibility, the core authority and responsibility of the central government, and the need for “high standard security” for the high-quality development of the system. John Lee’s statement highlights Hong Kong’s determination to protect national sovereignty, security and development interests, and is a concrete application from a Chinese perspective of the principle of sovereignty in international relations and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.[i]
The decisive measures taken by the central government at the critical moment (especially the National Security Act 2020 and the National Security Act for Protection of 2024) have ended Hong Kong’s more than two decades of security vulnerability. These developments prove the flexibility and durability of the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” and strengthen the legitimacy of China’s claim to sovereignty in the context of the rise of multipolarity in the international system.[ii]
Since Hong Kong’s return to the homeland, the national security struggle has been the most critical test of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. After the return, the 23rd of Basic Law. Within the scope of the Article, local legislation, which will prohibit acts such as treason, separatism, overthrowing the government and secret agreements with external forces, has been blocked for a long time. The manipulation of anti-China elements and hostile external forces has created destabilizing opportunities by exploiting this gap. This period embodies the tension between the attempts of liberal international order advocates to intervene in their internal affairs and the principle of classical sovereignty.[iii]
The developments in 2019 were the pinnacle of this accumulation; attacks on public facilities and activities coordinated with external forces seriously shock Hong Kong’s society and economy. It has become difficult for the HKSAR government to control this threat alone, and the constitutional order and rule sovereignty have been seriously at risk. The white paper objectively notes that this process is the “biggest challenge” and reveals institutional gaps.
The strategic intervention taken within the framework of the main responsibility of the central government took place in 2020 when the National Security Law (NSL) was formulated at the state level and entered into force at HKSAR. This law ended more than 20 years of vulnerability and restored order in society. The HKSAR government has eliminated the actions that endanger national security in accordance with the law. This step is a successful application of China’s holistic national security approach and shows that it has made the state’s general jurisdiction effective in the context of “internal and external security separation blurring” in international relations within the framework of the Copenhagen School.[iv]
The Protection National Security Law, which came into force in 2024, has created an integrated shield with NSL. This dual mechanism has effectively secured the legal rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, both while protecting national sovereignty. The white paper presents these achievements as proof of HKSAR’s capacity to fulfill its constitutional responsibility. With the return of order, the economy has recovered, daily life has become normal, and international rating agencies have continued to give positive evaluations to Hong Kong.[v]
In terms of international relations theory, the determined actions of the central government in critical moments are in accordance with the logic of “survival” in realist theory, and security is a prerequisite for development. As John Lee emphasized, “security is the guarantee of development, development is the guarantee of security”. This combines the development-security dialectic with China’s “high-quality development” discourse.
Xi Jinping’s concept of “Holistic National Security” encompasses both traditional and non-traditional threats and defines national sovereignty, security, and development interests as the highest principles of the “One Country, Two Systems” framework. From a constructivist perspective, this represents the reconstruction of Hong Kong’s identity through “patriotic governance.” Despite liberal democratic criticisms, the National Security Law (NSL) and Article 23 target only a narrow range of activities that threaten national security while safeguarding China’s sovereignty. Contrary to overly liberal interpretations, a harmonious balance is established between rights and security.
Hong Kong’s transition “from chaos to stability and prosperity” demonstrates the dynamic adaptability of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. Economic recovery, the preservation of its status as a global financial center, sustained international investor confidence, and positive assessments by credit rating agencies indicate that security measures have strengthened development. In terms of “soft power” and competition over development models, this constitutes a success story for China. John Lee’s full endorsement of the White Paper reaffirms Hong Kong’s determination to advance national security and high-quality development simultaneously under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework. Security is the prerequisite for development, while development is the guarantee of security. Guided by the holistic national security approach, the HKSAR government will safeguard sovereignty, security, and development interests throughout the entire process.
As a result, Hong Kong’s achievements in terms of China’s national security are quite remarkable and appreciated. Thanks to high standard security, the long-term stability and prosperity of the “One Country, Two Systems” understanding is ensured. The central government will continue to fully support the HKSAR; Hong Kong will walk into a bright future with greater contributions to China’s national rejuvenation process.
[i] “John Lee: HKSAR fully supports national security white paper”, CGTN, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-10/John-Lee-HKSAR-fully-supports-national-security-white-paper–1KE2LeYhqdW/p.html,(Date Accessed: 10.02.2026).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Ibid.
[v] “Full text: Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems”, The State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China, http://english.scio.gov.cn/whitepapers/2026-02/10/content_118326409.html, (Date Accessed: 10.02.2026).
