China warning on HK

Hong Kong: Beijing’s top representative in Hong Kong said yesterday that any foreign powers that try to use the global financial centre as a pawn will face counter measures.

Luo Huining, the director at China’s Hong Kong Liaison Office, was speaking at a ceremony to mark National Security Education Day, which authorities have organised to promote the sweeping legislation China imposed last year.

‘‘We will give a lesson to all foreign forces which intend to use Hong Kong as a pawn,’’ Luo said.

The new law drew criticism from the West for curbing rights and freedoms in the former British colony.

National Security Education Day will be marked with school activities, games and shows, and a parade by police and other services performing the Chinese military’s ‘‘goose step’’ march.

Stickers and bookmarks reading ‘‘Uphold National Security, Safeguard our Home’’ have been delivered to schools and kindergartens.