‘IRON WALL’ CAN SECURE PATH TO PROSPERITY, TOP OFFICIAL SAYS
Liaison office head hails economic benefits of legislation ahead of National Security Education Day
Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong has said the city can now go all out in developing the economy and improving the livelihood of residents thanks to the “iron wall” of its domestic national security law.
Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, helped to kick off a host of activities yesterday in the lead-up to the annual National Security Education Day tomorrow. The awareness day will be the first since the city passed the domestic national security law last month, which Zheng said would enable Hong Kong’s transition from stability to prosperity.
“[The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance] has shown that Hong Kong has an iron wall and is united to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests,” Zheng said during a ceremony at the Police College in Wong Chuk Hang.
“Hong Kong can now go all out to boost the economy, seek development, improve people’s livelihood and drive the transition from stability to prosperity.”
The legislation was required under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.
Zheng, along with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu Chak-yee, who were also attending the event, noted the significance of this year as it marked the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping rolling out a holistic approach to national security.
The force’s college was opened to the public as part of activities linked to the education day, with officers putting on musical performances, demonstrations of their driving skills, police dog shows, and counterterrorism drills by the special duties unit, counter terrorism response unit and drone team.
Lee and his spouse, Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim, were seen chatting with children who were taking part in games at the college.
The drills were followed with a performance by Cantopop singer Kenny Bee, who sang a number he had produced called “Safeguard Hong Kong”.
National Security Education Day has been celebrated in the city on April 15 since 2021.
The holistic approach to national security is part of an ideology introduced by Xi in 2014 covering a wide range of security issues, from politics and the military to technology, cyberspace, outer space and biosecurity.
Lee said the domestic national security law provided a more solid guarantee for the security of the country and the city, allowing Hong Kong to pursue economic development and improve the livelihood of residents while maintaining long-term prosperity and stability.
“April 15 this year is of special significance to Hong Kong because this year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s holistic approach to national security and the first National Security Education Day since the city passed the legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law,” the chief executive said.
Police chief Siu said the new legislation improved the legal system and enforcement mechanisms while stamping out risks to the country’s safety.
He also acknowledged the long-standing contributions of police officers as this year marked the 180th anniversary of the establishment of the force.
“Since its establishment in 1844, the force has faced various ups and downs and challenges, but officers of different generations have shouldered the mission of protecting residents’ lives and property,” he said.
The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance covers 39 offences in five categories: treason; insurrection, incitement to mutiny and disaffection, and acts with seditious intention; sabotage; external interference; theft of state secrets and espionage.
The new legislation sits alongside the Beijing-imposed 2020 national security law, which outlawed secession, subversion, collusion with foreign forces and terrorism.
A variety of events and ceremonies will be rolled out to celebrate the awareness day, including a flag-raising ceremony, open days for the disciplined and auxiliary services, seminars, visits to schools by government officials, and other activities.
A high-profile seminar and ceremony will also be held tomorrow featuring Lee and mainland envoys based in the city, while government departments will organise community activities across all 18 districts.