During a RTHK production aired on Saturday, Lam said the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law aims to enable every citizen to become a self-aware volunteer of a patriot army, figuratively speaking, so that they are willing to understand, respect and abide by the law.

The justice chief added that NSL targets very extreme speech and behaviors that are very unlikely performed by ordinary citizens, like advocating Hong Kong independence and participating in terrorist attacks.

He also told the public to ask themselves if there are any things they used to do, or words they used to do say which are now prohibited.

Lam then mentioned his wife’s primary school teacher who recently visited Hong Kong years after immigrating to the U.S., and asked him if negative media reports related to the SAR were true.

Lam replied saying he believed many Hongkongers would agree the actual circumstances in the city are not like those described by governments, media and politicians from the West.

Lam hoped the teacher would return to the U.S. and tell his friends that Hong Kong is still a city with a top-notch judicial environment and a city that respects human rights and freedoms.