Lam: Security law 'most important' development for Hong Kong since handover

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam makes a toast with former chief executives Tung Chee-hwa (centre) and Leung Chun-ying following a flag-raising ceremony to mark China's National Day celebrations early morning in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020. - AFP

HONG KONG (The Straits Times/ANN): The city will turn the corner with the new national security law in place, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam declared on Wednesday morning (July 1), hours before a planned march by some defiant opposition activists that set the stage for possible clashes.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who begins her fourth year in a five-year term on Wednesday, said the move by Beijing is a historic step forward for the relationship between the city and the mainland.