Interview | Zhang Guojun: Is it normal only if Hong Kong has no national security laws? Time will tell Hong Kong unchanged

The new government structure was reorganized, and the post of "Deputy Secretary" was added.

Zhang Guojun, a former member of the Legislative Council, served as the first deputy secretary of the Department of Justice. When he was interviewed by Hong Kong 01, he joked that he and Secretary Lin Dingguo were both from outside the government.

Having worked in districts and councils for many years, Zhang hopes that these experiences will help to convey legal issues to the public in an "obvious and easy-to-understand" manner, and is thinking of promoting more legal work to the outside world: "There are a lot of clean government and police programs, so that the society can better understand.

As for the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, Zhang Guojun reiterated that he is still actively conducting research, and once there is a result, it will be submitted to the Chief Executive, who will then consult the community for a full explanation

.

He emphasized that the scope of this study is broad, with reference to many local experiences, local actual conditions and needs. ”, in order to cover all foreseeable situations and plug all loopholes.

Zhang Guojun pointed out that, like the "Hong Kong National Security Law", he understands that some people are very concerned and worried, but these national security laws are not unique to Hong Kong. "The worry comes from the past, people have me, it's not in the past, is it normal? It's definitely there, first Is it normal?” He wants the society to understand that it is these laws that make society stable.

There is no summer vacation in the officialdom: according to the family, the problem should be thought about the solution

Cheung Kwok-kwan was the vice chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong before joining the Department of Justice. He had served as an unofficial member of the Executive Council, a Legislative Council member and a district councillor, holding various positions.

Join the hot kitchen, what is the biggest feeling?

He joked: "There are a lot of meetings to be held, and there is no summer vacation for the Legislative Council." He continued that as a Legislative Council member, the main purpose was to find out problems. In the officialdom, after discovering a problem, it is even more necessary to come up with a feasible solution and cooperate in all aspects.

Zhang Guojun, who is a solicitor himself, said that he and Lin Dingguo, the director of the former chairman of the Bar Association, just complement each other, and the division of labor depends on the future running-in: "For example, sometimes the director has something he doesn't want to do or is not good at. Deputy Director-General on the top." Zhang Guojun is initially responsible for four areas of work, including rule of law education and promotion, talent cultivation, Greater Bay Area collaboration and legal technology. When necessary, he will also assist the Secretary on other issues.

Zhang Guojun encouraged middle school students to devote themselves to legal work.

(Photo by Liang Pengwei)

Changes in the political environment lead to a drain on legal talent?

Law has always been regarded as a "sacred subject", attracting many high-caliber students in the past, but this year's newly released 8 DSE champions have no intention of studying.

Zhang Guojun, who is a "brother in the legal profession", does not think it has anything to do with the political environment. He pointed out that the public still has confidence in the rule of law in Hong Kong. "There will still be lawsuits in Hong Kong courts. Everyone feels that justice can be achieved within the system." However, The world has changed, and the younger generation no longer sticks to the traditional three divisions (accountant, doctor, lawyer) to define success.

He is contemplating a more innovative method to introduce legal work to the outside world. Taking the Department of Justice as an example, in addition to the stereotyped prosecution work, there is also legal drafting work, hoping to make the younger generation understand it and attract interested people to join: " A lot of clean government and police programs have made the society know more about them, but in fact, there are many old men in the legal system.”

Referring to the situation in the legal profession under the tide of immigration, Zhang Guojun said that there are different reasons for the brain drain. "Some people want to go to other environments, but there are also restrictions due to the epidemic." However, he believes that as the epidemic stabilizes, time will also prove that Hong Kong's The social order remains unchanged, and the cooperation with the Greater Bay Area will be strengthened in the future to provide different development opportunities.

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