On May 28, Deng Xiuming, executive vice-president of the Supreme People’s Court (SPC), met with a delegation led by Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, chief justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, in Xi’an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

Noting that the practice of “one country, two systems” has entered a new stage with Hong Kong's economy showing strong momentum for recovery and development, Deng emphasized that national security is the foundation for development and acknowledged the crucial role of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in maintaining stability in the region. He expressed the hope for continued judicial cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong, and encouraged the Hong Kong judiciary to uphold the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the national security law through impartial and professional adjudication.

Cheung reaffirmed the Hong Kong judiciary’s commitment to judicial independence, the rule of law, and the principle of “one country, two systems”. He pledged to continue fulfilling constitutional responsibilities and safeguarding national security in accordance with the law and contributing to the country’s development and national rejuvenation by leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages.

At the invitation of the SPC, Cheung led the delegation on a visit to Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Shaanxi from May 26 to 31. During the tour, they visited the Sixth Circuit Court of the SPC and local high people’s courts, and engaged in exchanges with their counterparts.

Mao Zhonghua, vice-president of the SPC; Han Deyang, president of the High People's Court of Shaanxi Province; An Changhai, president of the High People's Court of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, met with the delegation separately during their visit.