China's top legislature unanimously adopted the "landmark" law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong.

People convicted of the national security crimes could face up to life imprisonment.

The law is a "sword" deterring people who endanger national security and a "guardian" protecting Hong Kong residents.

BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers Tuesday voted to adopt the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The law was passed unanimously at the 20th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order to promulgate the law, which goes into effect on the date of promulgation.

With 66 articles in six chapters, the law clearly defines the duties and government bodies of the HKSAR for safeguarding national security and four categories of offences -- secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements to endanger national security -- and their corresponding penalties.

According to the law, the central government will set up an office in the HKSAR for safeguarding national security.

The HKSAR will establish a committee for safeguarding national security, which is under the supervision of and accountable to the central government. To be chaired by the HKSAR chief executive, the committee shall have a national security adviser designated by the central government. The Hong Kong police force will also set up a department for safeguarding national security, according to the law.

After the law was passed, the NPC Standing Committee consulted its HKSAR Basic Law Committee and the HKSAR government, and adopted on Tuesday afternoon, by a unanimous vote, a decision to list the law in Annex III to the HKSAR Basic Law.

The newly-adopted decision stipulates that the law shall be applied locally in the HKSAR by way of promulgation by the region.

The law came into force in Hong Kong at 11:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday upon its promulgation by the HKSAR government in the gazette.

HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in a statement that the HKSAR government welcomes the passage of the law.

"I am confident that after the implementation of the national security law, the social unrest which has troubled Hong Kong people for nearly a year will be eased and stability will be restored, thereby enabling Hong Kong to start anew, focus on economic development and improve people's livelihood," she said.

WIDE SUPPORT

The law came after prolonged social unrest and escalating street violence had plunged Hong Kong into the gravest situation since its return to the motherland in 1997. Rampant activities of "Hong Kong independence" organizations and violent radicals as well as blatant interference by external forces have disrupted Hong Kong residents' daily life and threatened their safety.

Addressing the closing meeting of the NPC Standing Committee session, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said the unanimous passage of the law and the decision has reflected the common will of the Chinese people including Hong Kong compatriots.

Stressing that national security, social stability and the order of rule of law are the premises of the development of Hong Kong, Li said the legislation represents the aspirations of the people and an irresistible trend of the times.

In a statement, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council voiced firm support for the law, calling it a "milestone" event that will usher in a turning point for Hong Kong to end chaos and bring back order.

In a separate statement, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said the promulgation and implementation of the law at the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland is an event worth celebrating for all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots.

Nearly 2.93 million Hong Kong residents earlier signed a petition in support of the national security legislation during an eight-day campaign starting May 24.

"SWORD" AND "GUARDIAN"

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said in its statement that for a tiny number of people endangering national security, the law will be a "sharp sword" hanging over their heads.

But for the vast majority of Hong Kong residents including foreigners in Hong Kong, the law will be a "guardian" that protects their rights, freedoms and peaceful life, said the office.

According to the law, people convicted of the national security crimes could face up to life imprisonment.

Convicted criminals will be disqualified from running for public office, and people in public office who are found guilty of the crimes will be removed from their posts.

The law shall apply to acts committed after its entry into force for the purpose of conviction and imposition of punishment, according to its provision.

Upon promulgation, the law will resolutely and effectively safeguard national security and ensure that the "one country, two systems" cause is steered toward the right direction, said top legislator Li Zhanshu.

The law will vigorously uphold the constitutional order and the order of rule of law in the HKSAR, forestall and deter external interference, and safeguard Hong Kong's fundamental, long-term and current interests, he said.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/01/c_139178802.htm

We want China to know that Georgia stands with you and remains committed to work, Georgia’s Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani said.

“Amid the outbreak of coronavirus, we want China to know that Georgia stands with you and remains committed to work together in a spirit of cooperation to contain the spread of the deadly virus. This is the time for support and solidarity! “ Davit Zalkaliani tweeted.

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Georgia, Li Yan, together with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, was invited to attend the official opening ceremony of Gardabani II Thermal Power Plant, constructed by China Tianchen Engineering Corporation, and deliver a speech. Natia Turnava, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Yuan Xuemin, President of China Tianchen Engineering Corporation and others have also attended the opening ceremony.

The Georgian side highly praised and expressed their gratitude towards Chinese constructors for their excellent quality projects completed at a record pace. Also, they pointed out, that Gardabani Thermal Power Plant is the largest cycle, energy-efficient power station in Georgia, which can meet 70% of average monthly electricity consumption in Tbilisi, improve the energy stability and security in Georgia. At the same time, it will create many job opportunities; contribute to the economic development of the country and peaceful life of its residents.

After the opening ceremony, Ambassador Li Yan and Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia visited the Power Plant and saw the equipment.

China International Education College is founded by China International Education Group. Various educational institutions in China, Europe and Asia are successfully operating under the umbrella of this group.

Our institute is dedicated to teaching Chinese, organizing multifaceted cultural and cognitive events that will help Georgian society to better understand Chinese culture, as well as deepen multilateral relations and cooperation between China and Georgia.

Our Institute is the first fully independent private institute of its kind in Georgia. It is worth noticing that the China International Education group is the one of the important investors in Georgia in the field of education, currently investing approximately 3 million GEL, and plans to invest in vocational education in the future.

On January 11, 2020, at 15:00, at the headquarters of the China International Education College, Andrew and Meliton Balanchivadze Ave. # 43, the official opening ceremony of the China International Education College will be held.

Invited guests are Ambassador of China to Georgia - Ms. Lee Ian, guests from Ministry of Education, state and public figures, also specially for this day, for the first time senior statesmen will come from China : Mr. Wu Ni - Director of the Institute for Education Development and Reforms of the Chinese Academy of Education, Mr. Xu Zhengzhong - Director of the Institute for Education Development and Reforms and other guests.

The following people will give speeches at the ceremony : Mr. Kang Zheng – founder of the institute, Ms. Eli Elisashvili – Director, Mr. Wu Ni and Mr. Xu Zhengzhong.

This event will also include a presentation of the first Chinese-Georgian dictionary, translated by the director of the Institute - Eli Elisashvili, published in China, and second edition will be performed in Georgia.

TBILISI, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Protests in any form should be peaceful, by no means through radical actions and disruption of normal life, David Aptsiauri, former Georgian ambassador to China, has said. 
   "We think that any protest should be expressed in peaceful ways through dialogue, readiness for consensus solutions and not by means of radical actions and disruption of normal life of the community," Aptsiauri, also general director of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Xinhua recently. 
   Aptsiauri stressed that social stability is vitally important for further economic development and improvement of living standards in Hong Kong. 
   Hong Kong's closer cooperation with the Chinese mainland "means increasing new job opportunities and growth of trade and tourism," Aptsiauri said, calling on the people in Hong Kong to cherish and maintain peace and stability. 
   Aptsiauri recalled he had visited Hong Kong several times as the former ambassador to China and was impressed by the progress the city made after its reunification with the Chinese mainland. 
   "I would like to reiterate that Georgia firmly supports the 'one country, two systems' principle," he said. 
   Hong Kong has since June suffered from prolonged and escalating violence that originated from demonstrations over proposed ordinance amendments concerning fugitive offenders. 
   The Hong Kong police said the level of aggression by demonstrators has been the highest in decades.

Chinese people respects the choice made by Georgian people to live in a unified Georgia" stated Li Yan, newly appointed Ambassador of the People's Republic of China at an introductory meeting with Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia today.

Madam diplomat focused on the support of China towards sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, inter alia through international formats.

Meeting held at the Government Administration of Georgia gave rise to discussions related to the prospects of intensified interaction between Georgia and China to cover both economic and people-to-people relations.

Growing inflow of tourists from China was positively viewed and noted that number of visitors has been increased by 50 percent in the first half of the current year. This indicator is expected to rise further by the end of 2019.

Positive trend of bilateral trade has been underlined. Attention was made on the significance of Georgia's participation in the China International Import Expo. It was thereby noted that it will be yet another annual opportunity given to the Georgian companies to showcase their output to Chinese investors.

Silk Road Forum has also been discussed at the meeting within the initiative of One Belt - One Road. Significant role of Georgia as a regional hub has been stressed towards this end.

Prime Minister's Press Office

The Speaker, H.E. Archil Talakvadze held the introductory meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of China to discuss the bilateral relations and the cooperation agenda.

As noted, political, trade-economic, cultural and people-to-people relations are the directions Georgia and China are to adhere to in further cooperation.

The parties dwelt on the Silk Road Project “One Belt One Road”, which is of the strategic importance for Georgia and Georgia, in terms of security, economic integration and infrastructural update is committed for this mission.

The parties touched upon transit and investment capacities of Georgia and stressed importance of inter-Parliamentary ties.

The Ambassador reaffirmed support to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and underlined that China strongly respects the choice Georgian people has opted for development. In his turn, the Speaker expressed intact support of Georgia to “One-China” policy.

The Speaker wished good luck to the Ambassador and expressed commitment for close cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the Head of Georgia-China Friendship Group, Otar Danelia.

Increased export of Georgian output to the People's Republic of China (PRC) and transformation of Georgia into a regional hub has been discussed by Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia and Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the PRC held at a State Residence in Dalian today.

Head of Government of Georgia congratulated his distinguished host with 70th Anniversary since founding of the People's Republic of China and expressed his gratitude for the support demonstrated towards Georgia.

Discussions were focused on the need of full and comprehensive use of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and significance of more investments in Georgia, especially in areas that have a greater export potential.

Within the context of Georgia's transformation into a regional hub, interest of large companies was noted as essential in making investments and opening regional offices in Georgia.

Role of people-to-people relations has been noted as important for further intensifying the bilateral trade and economic links.

Premier of the State Council of PRC confirmed solid support towards the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, along with the loyalty towards non-recognition policy.

Meeting between the Prime Minister of Georgia and Premier of the State Council of PRC was attended by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Science and Technologies of Georgia, Chairman of the State Reforms and Development Commission of China who are directly accountable towards the Premier of the State Council. High-level meeting of this format was first of its kind and in the opinion of the participants manifests the qualitatively advanced level of bilateral relations.

Head of Government of Georgia expressed profound gratitude to the Premier of the State Council of PRC for the invitation to visit Dalian for the World Economic Forum (WEF), which engages only a few country leaders.

Prime Minister of Georgia is scheduled to deliver a speech at the panel discussion of the WEF on Talent-Transforming Technology. Working Visit of the Head of Government of Georgia in Dalian is scheduled to be completed on July 2, 2019.

Prime Minister's Press Office

Free Trade Agreement between Georgia and Hong Kong /the Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China/ became effective from February 13 this year.

Georgia-Hong Kong /China/ Free Trade Agreement was signed on June 28, 2018, in Hong Kong within the framework of the One Belt- One Road summit.

The purpose of the agreement is to determine the terms of the free movement of the goods between Georgia and Hong Kong – the Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China as well as to promote trade of services. The new generation agreement between the parties also covers such topics as promotion of customs and trade, intellectual property rights, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, etc.

Georgia is the first country in the region with whom Hong Kong has signed a free trade agreement. The agreement will increase awareness of Georgia, its business climate and promote trade and investment flows between Hong Kong and Georgia.

Hong Kong conducts open economic policy and represents one of the largest key transnational financial centers of the world.

Enactment of the Agreement will facilitate the growth of the trade turnover between the parties and give Georgian entrepreneurs chances to introduce their products and services without additional bureaucratic barriers to a 7-million consumer market.