Hong Kong artists said people in Hong Kong should treasure their hard-won status as masters and support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in its legislation concerning Article 23 of the Basic Law, said a local newspaper Sunday.

Popular Cantonese singer Alan Tam was quoted as saying that " Hong Kong is our home and we cannot resort to extremist actions which will bring chaos to our homeland."

He warned people that if Hong Kong is put into disorder, it will in no way attract foreign investment and tourists.

Some members from the Hong Kong SouthChina Film Industry Workers' Association shared the view with Tam.

Feng Lin, honorary deputy chairman of the association, said Hong Kong people need a stable, harmonious and prosperous home.

She said Hong Kong people should realize that it is right for the HK government to make further amendments to the draft National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill (Article 23 of the Basic Law) and for the Legislative Council to vote on the bill as scheduled. Hong Kong needs to focus on its economic development, which requires closer economic ties between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, she said, adding closer economic relationship can only be achieved by ensuring national security.

Another honorary deputy chairman of the association, Wu Foxiang, said the fact that most of the artists in the entertainment industry did not participate in the protest on July 1 showed the industry's supportive stand for the government.

He said the government had done quite a lot to help the development of the industry in the past years.

A consultant for the association, Qiu Ping, said that like every household which has locks on its doors to protect itself against burglary, a country should have a "lock" to protect itself. The national security bill is also a "lock" for protecting our homeland.

While announcing the government has decided to introduce further amendments to the national security bill, Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said Saturday the bill will be put to pass the second and third readings in the Legislative Council on July 9 as scheduled.

The Hong Kong government released the consultation paper on proposals to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law on Sept. 24, 2002, in a step to reinforce the protection of China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.

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