Hong Kong's Lam: National security law has been effective

Hong Kong leer Carrie Lam said Wednesday that her annual policy dress sought to restore constitutional order in Hong Kong after opposition demonstration led to violence and dams last year.

dress came more than a month after it was postponed so that she could seek Beijing’s support for various ecomic measures to revive semi-automous Chinese territory's ecomy.

Beijing imposed national security law on Hong Kong in June, aiming to crack down on dissent following months of anti-government protests in city that at times descended into violence.

Last year’s protests were triggered by a proposed extrition law that would have allowed suspects in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland.

proposal was eventually scrapped.

“se opposition forces and organizations bluntly challenge authority of central government and our government through interference in Hong Kong affairs by external forces, and even begged for sanctions against Hong Kong,” Lam said in her dress.

city's new national security law has been “remarkably effective in restoring stability” after months of political unrest, and that bringing rmalcy back to political system is an urgent priority, she said.

Lam also criticized foreign governments for interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs, saying it h jeopardized national security.

Beijing has in recent months taken a tougher stance on dissent in Hong Kong, sparking concerns over possible end of “one country, two systems” framework under which Hong Kong has been operating since it was handed over to China by Britain in 1997.

"I think national security law tramples on freedom of speech in Hong Kong," said forrmer legislator Leung Kwok Hung in front of Legislative Council building where Lam's dress took place.