Study history to grasp need for national security, ex-police chief urges young

Young people should study modern Chinese history to help them grasp the importance of national security, a former commissioner of police has said.

Dick Lee Ming-kwai, who headed the force between 2003 and 2007, was speaking yesterday at an event involving members of Junior Police Call, a programme for young people designed to promote national security.

“Before the establishment of postrevolutionary China, the country faced poverty and was on the verge of being divided,” he said. “People of a subjugated country suffer terribly.

“Youths may not understand why we emphasise national security when our country is safe and stable. But they don’t know our country had experienced very, very turbulent times.”

Lee, 73, appealed to young people to visit the mainland to experience the country’s development and to better understand the need for national security.

He served in the force for 34 years and was well-known for playing Beethoven’s 5th Symphony over a PA system to drown out protests during the ceremony to mark Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule in 1997.

Lee said being in charge of security for the event made him feel honoured and nervous.

“It was a historic moment in both Chinese and world history,” he said. “At the strike of midnight, the British flag was lowered and the Chinese flag was raised.

“I felt very proud as a Chinese citizen living on our own land.”

Lee was also commended for his handling of the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in 2005, where protesting Korean farmers were subdued with minimal force.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, a former police officer, said at the same event that the “black violence” in 2019 left a deep impression on him.

He said that many young people were “brainwashed” into committing acts of violence.

“Many officers were smeared and attacked during the protests. An officer who was attacked with corrosive liquid has undergone multiple surgeries and still suffers from pain,” Tang said.

But he added he had spoken to some of those who were jailed for their part in the protests and that many regretted their actions.

“I hope we can strengthen the sense of national identity in our youths so they will not be incited to commit such acts easily,” Tang said.

Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, constitutional and mainland affairs secretary, speaking at a Scout Association meeting yesterday, said domestic security legislation would ensure the city’s long-term prosperity and stability.

Tsang added that the scouts had a long history of instilling leadership and civic responsibility. The association has held a series of national security education activities in recent months designed to promote the need to safeguard national security.

Tsang said the programme would strengthen scouts’ feeling for the country and cultivate patriotism and love of Hong Kong.

“By incorporating national security education into their activities, they are instilling in young scouts a sense of duty towards their country and the importance of safeguarding its security,” he said.

The events yesterday were held two weeks after lawmakers unanimously passed the domestic national security act, an obligation under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.