An editorial in the Communist Party-run China Daily said there was "nothing untoward" in asking the country's legislature to strengthen the legal framework with regard to Hong Kong, being as all countries attach the utmost significance to national security.

It said those who will find the news "encouraging and comforting" are people who cherish the rule of law and stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, while critics will "mostly have an axe to grind when it comes to the Chinese mainland".

"What has happened in Hong Kong since June last year indicates that the legal system in the SAR is not only weak with regard to national security, as its limited number of relevant articles are scattered among various laws and regulations, some of which date back to British rule and many of which have been left in a state of dormancy since then, but also frail in its law enforcement power which has been unable to quell the unrest," the newspaper said.

It said the new legislation will not only provide the necessary legal guarantee for the state to exercise its power to protect national security, but will also make sure the SAR government can safeguard public order by helping it close the "loopholes in its legal system".

The commentary added that the national legislation will provide the legal basis for concrete action to check the "escalation of violence in the SAR".