Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of National Security Education Day 2023 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, April 15, 2023. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Firmly safeguarding national security is of vital importance to Hong Kong, enabling it to achieve greater economic growth in the post-pandemic era and contribute to the nation’s new stage of modernization with high-quality development, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said at the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day 2023 on Saturday.

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Lee said that following Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, activities endangering national security had been continuously escalated, from the protests against national education in 2012, to the illegal Occupy Central movement in 2014, to the Mong Kok riot in 2016, and to the Anti-Extradition Bill riots in 2019.

John Lee vowed to improve administration in education, healthcare and land and housing areas to increase the well-being of local residents and offer more development opportunities to youngsters, and help them develop affection for the city and the nation

Under the safeguards of the National Security Law, Hong Kong has resumed order and regained its vigor, Lee said. Now that the city has lifted all of its anti-pandemic curbs, normalcy has been fully restored, and Hong Kong has kicked off various promotional campaigns to attract global tourists and investors, he added.

Firmly implementing the National Security Law is of vital importance for the SAR to fulfill its constitutional obligations and control related risks. It can also offer robust safeguards for Hong Kong’s future development and enable the city to better serve the nation’s development needs, Lee noted.

The SAR government will continue to guard against internal threats like separatism, subversive activities and social unrest, as well as external infiltration and international terrorism. Besides traditional security domains in political, military and territorial areas, it will also monitor new risks in finance, culture and social order, Lee said.

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He cautioned that the city must not underestimate hidden national security threats. Although the city has restored stability under the National Security Law, a handful of anti-China forces have gone underground and continue to plot disruptive activities. Amid tense international relations, overseas antagonistic forces have also repeatedly meddled in Hong Kong’s affairs and defamed its reputation, Lee said.

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To better protect national security, the SAR government will further improve related mechanisms. He added that local legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law will be finished as soon as possible, and the city will ensure there will be no interference in the prosecutions and trials of national security cases. 

The government will make full use National Security Education Day every year to strengthen national security promotion in schools and communities, and improve youngsters’ awareness of the need to remain law-abiding, Lee said.

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He also vowed to improve administration in education, healthcare and land and housing areas to increase the well-being of local residents and offer more development opportunities to youngsters, and help them develop affection for the city and the nation.