Oswald took a small sip of tea, his expression as still as water. He offered no rebuttal, tacitly accepting Lai Wing-lim's words.
"You two are leading figures in Hong Kong Island's legal community. Drafting a dedicated National Security Law—"
Zhou Quan turned the teacup in his hand and said calmly, "I shouldn't need to explain its significance to my two seniors."
Oswald and Lai Wing-lim both nodded, clearly agreeing with Zhou Quan.
Even though Hong Kong Island had no National Security Law, how could either of them fail to understand the significance of such a law?
Oswald's sternness was directed only at Zhou Quan's intention to bypass the Legislative Bureau and the Provisional Legislative Council.
As for the National Security Law itself, the senior barrister clearly supported it.
"Oswald, you're currently leading the Provisional Legislative Council's work on drafting the Basic Law for after the handover. You understand its current situation better than Edward and I do."
Turning to Oswald, Zhou Quan said earnestly, "To put it bluntly, in the eyes of the Hong Kong Government authorities, the Provisional Legislative Council is an illegal organization."
"Had it been established a few years earlier, that foreign Governor might even have ordered the Police Force to put you legislators on the wanted list."
"Those not of our own kind must have different loyalties!"
"Hong Kong Island can return to the Motherland's embrace only because the Motherland has grown increasingly powerful."
"The notion of the Motherland as a threat has always enjoyed widespread currency in the West."
"The foreign authorities are only returning Hong Kong Island because the Motherland's overwhelming pressure leaves them no choice. How could they possibly accept it willingly?"
"Even after Hong Kong Island formally returns, there will certainly be no shortage of struggles behind the scenes."
"That makes a