Security threats ‘can spread like viruses’, Lee says
Chief executive warns of persistence of risks as he reiterates call for vigilance in keynote speech
Hong Kong must remain vigilant to external risks even though the domestic national security legislation has been enacted, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said, warning that threats may emerge suddenly behind one’s back and spread like viruses.
Lee yesterday also pledged to enhance intelligence-gathering capabilities and national security education as part of the government’s continuing efforts to implement the legislation that came into effect last month.
He also pledged “five efforts” to grow the economy: to pursue results with a proactive government approach; to seize on technological opportunities arising from the mainland’s “new productive force”; to build up the talent pool; to capitalise on the city’s unique advantage of linking the country with the world; and to promote local consumption.
Lee warned about threats in a keynote address he delivered at the opening ceremony of National Security Education Day. The event was the first held after the city passed and enacted the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance last month.
The chief executive argued the city should maintain vigilance over national security risks, pointing to their “sudden” and “persistent” nature.
Lee said both the “colour revolution” in 2019 – a reference to anti-government protests – and a recent terrorist attack in Moscow occurred suddenly, adding that hostile forces would persist in mounting attacks against Hong Kong for their own political interests.
“The threat of hostile forces will continue [as they] wait for a chance to attack. Just like viruses, they will not stop attacking us just because we have been vaccinated,” Lee said, referring to the national security laws.
“Foreign agents might hide in different industries to cover up.
Spies might even get married and have children, and only launch a terrorist attack such as an explosion or steal state secrets before they disappear,” he said.
Lee pledged that the city would continue with its efforts to implement the new ordinance in four directions: explaining the law; strengthening the internal mechanisms of the government; preventing and punishing illegal acts and improving law enforcers’ intelligence-gathering capacities; and enhancing national security education efforts.
The domestic national security law targets five major activities: treason; insurrection, incitement to mutiny and disaffection, and acts with seditious intent; sabotage; external interference endangering national security; and theft of state secrets and espionage.
It sits alongside the Beijing-imposed 2020 national security law, which outlawed secession, subversion, collusion with foreign forces and terrorism.
Lee said his administration would focus on boosting the economy and improving livelihoods after building a “protective wall” for national security.
Investing in major infrastructure projects such as the Northern Metropolis, and facilitating “high-quality development” like artificial intelligence and the digital economy were among schemes to revive the economy, Lee added.
At a panel discussion held during the event, security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung said Hongkongers had finally understood the importance of national security legislation in the wake of the 2019 social unrest.
Hours before the seminar, Tang’s bureau led the disciplined services in holding a flag-raising ceremony at the Police College in Wong Chuk Hang.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, who officiated at the ceremony, said the government would fully cooperate with a newly established high-level working group to promote patriotic education.