(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government aims to launch a public consultation on the enactment of Article 23 of the Basic Law before its current term ends in late June 2022, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today.

Mrs Lam made the remarks while reviewing the Government's work this year and outlining the work plan for next year at a media session.

She said: "About enacting local legislation under Basic Law Article 23, this is our constitutional duty. We have not done it for over two decades.

"It is time that we should do it because while the National Security Law has been promulgated - implemented - in Hong Kong for one and half years, there are still other offences relating to national security that require a new local legislation.

"What I have said, of course in consultation with the Secretary for Security who is doing all the preparatory work, is to commence the public consultation within my term and that is in the next six months. We will start the consultation process - laying out the details of the proposed amendments to the legislation and so on."

The Chief Executive added it is unlikely that the legislation could be passed within this term of Government as it will take some time to complete the public consultation, drafting of the bill and subsequent legislative procedures.

"I am not very optimistic that we could actually pass the law because that would require completing everything.

"But I have heard some Legislative Council members-elect expressing the desire that they will co-operate in order to expedite the passing of a legislation. I certainly welcome that, but I would still adhere importance to a more thorough discussion in society before we enact the law."