Seven articles of the draft decision

· Article 1 states clearly that the country will unswervingly, fully and faithfully implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "the people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong", and a high degree of autonomy; stresses taking necessary measures to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security, as well as prevent, stop and punish activities endangering national security in accordance with the law.

· Article 2 states clearly that the country resolutely opposes interference in HKSAR affairs by any foreign or external forces in any form and will take necessary countermeasures.

· Article 3 specifies that it is the HKSAR's constitutional responsibility to safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; stresses that the HKSAR must complete the national security legislation stipulated in the Basic Law of the HKSAR at an early date and the HKSAR's administrative, legislative and judicial organs must, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, effectively prevent, stop and punish acts endangering national security.

· Article 4 specifies that the HKSAR must establish and improve the institutions and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security; when needed, relevant national security organs of the central government will set up agencies in the HKSAR to fulfill relevant duties to safeguard national security in accordance with the law.

· Article 5 specifies that the HKSAR chief executive must regularly report to the central government on the HKSAR's performance of the duty to safeguard national security, carry out national security education and forbid acts endangering national security.

· Article 6 specifies the constitutional meanings of related legislation of the NPC Standing Committee:

(1) Entrusting the NPC Standing Committee to formulate relevant laws on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security. The NPC Standing Committee will exercise its functions and powers of legislation under authorization;

(2) Specifying that relevant legal tasks for the NPC Standing Committee are to effectively prevent, stop and punish any act occurring in the HKSAR to split the country, subvert State power, organize and carry out terrorist activities and other behaviors that seriously endanger national security, as well as activities of foreign and external forces to interfere in the affairs of the HKSAR;

(3) Specifying the method of implementing relevant laws of the NPC Standing Committee in the HKSAR, that is, the NPC Standing Committee makes the decision to include relevant laws into Annex III of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and the HKSAR promulgates and implements them.

· Article 7 specifies that this decision shall go into effect as of the date of promulgation.

Xinhua