Local organisations would not be banned from establishing lawful ties with foreign political organisations or bodies unless national security is at stake.

This was stated by the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, when he chaired the third consultative session of the draft of the national security law tonight. The session was attended by some 570 representatives from the social affairs and culture sectors.

The legislation of Article 23 was aimed at protecting national security, not at limiting connections with foreign organisations and bodies, Mr Ho said.

As long as these ties did not harm national security, these activities would be allowed, he said.

The eighth article of the proposed draft law detailed the meaning of ‘ties’ and excluded normal exchanges between organisations from unlawful deeds.

According to Article 23 of Macao’s Basic Law, Macao shall enact laws to prohibit foreign political organisations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region, and to prohibit political organisations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organisations or bodies.