HONG KONG -- Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government John Lee said Thursday that the national security law in the HKSAR has stopped the serious violence and reversed the chaotic situation in Hong Kong.

Thanks to the law's strong deterrent effect against radicals advocating "Hong Kong independence" and colluding with foreign forces, the national security risk and violent activities have been greatly reduced, Lee said at a meeting of the Legislative Council, citing that the number of people arrested for destructive activities was halved five months after the law took effect on June 30, 2020.

The national security law has enabled the shift from chaos to order, ensured the continued progress of "one country, two systems" and sustained Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, he said.

Lee said the HKSAR government will strive to help local residents and people outside of Hong Kong correctly understand the national security law in the future.