Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor holds a press conference at Central Government Offices in Hong Kong on June 16, 2020. (Photo: China Daily)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Tuesday warned those who have smeared and demonized the proposed national security law, saying by doing so, they are making themselves enemies of Hong Kong people.

Without national security, effective governance and stability cannot be assured in Hong Kong, Lam said.

She said objections against the proposed law are unfounded, and that foreign administrations should accept the "constitutional and legitimate" right of the central government to enact such a law for Hong Kong, given how they put their national security safeguards in place, Lam said.

Speaking to reporters before the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lam said she has gained general support on the legislation during meetings with foreign consuls, chambers of commerce and other commercial organizations.

She also noted nearly 3 million Hong Kong residents have signed a petition to support the legislation after a 10-day signature campaign.

She pledged the special administrative region government will continue to listen to feedback and concern from various sectors over the national security legislation, and relay them to the central government.

Lam reiterated that even though the legislation is drafted under the mainland's legal system, it shares the same legal principles with Hong Kong's common law system, such as presumption of innocence and no double jeopardy.

She called on the public not to worry about future implementation of the law, stressing that it will be in strict accordance with legal principles, and the only objective of the law is to better protect Hong Kong and the country.