In this April 14, 2022  photo, a child walks past a billboard promoting National Security Education Day in Central district of Hong Kong. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

The head of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong on Saturday expressed his hopes that society has learned a lesson from its past experience and will continuously strengthen its ability to safeguard national security to prevent a resurgence of political unrest.

Noting people overseas still have many misunderstandings concerning the real situation in Hong Kong after the National Security Law’s implementation, he also stressed the importance of telling the world about what really happened in Hong Kong and good stories of the city.

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Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, made his remarks at the opening ceremony of Hong Kong's National Security Education Day 2023.

Liu Guangyuan warned that foreign politicians who cross the line to meddle in Hong Kong affairs will pay a heavy price and the commissioner’s office will firmly safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests

Zheng said after experiencing turmoil in the past, Hong Kong society should be aware that the street protests and violence were the result of political manipulation and external interference, and activists seeking Hong Kong independence and adopting radical means to confront the government will have to pay a heavy price. 

Meanwhile, Zheng added that members of the community should not lower their guard, as the city still needs to further improve its mechanism for safeguarding national security and identifying potential risks and threats posed by anti-China activists both inside and outside the city.

The National Security Law for Hong Kong, which came into effect on June 30, 2020, has protected the interests of the city's vast majority and achieved good results, Zheng stressed, adding that the law is a great companion and guardian for Hong Kong during its new stage of advancing from stability to prosperity.

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Zheng noted that on the nation's new journey to modernization, the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative are continuously injecting momentum into the city's development. He urged the city to firmly uphold the National Security Law to seek greater prosperity. 

Speaking at the same event, Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR, warned that foreign politicians who cross the line to meddle in Hong Kong affairs will pay a heavy price and the commissioner’s office will firmly safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests.

Li Jiangzhou, deputy head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, pointed out that safeguarding national security is an arduous and complex task which requires consistent efforts. He called on every resident in the city to actively participate in the mission and jointly promote the city’s stability.

Some senior officials of the Hong Kong SAR attended the national security seminar held after the opening ceremony.

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Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said the ultimate goal of national security education is to enable Hong Kong residents to realize their legal obligation to protect national security and to take the initiative to fulfill this duty. The government will strengthen its efforts in explaining the provisions of the National Security Law and related court cases to help residents understand national security risks and how to prevent them.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said Hong Kong is a pilot zone for the nation’s market reforms and opening-up in the new stage of development. The city must hold the line in cybersecurity and financial security and stay vigilant to potential risks.

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Chris Tang Ping-keung, the SAR's secretary for security, cautioned that the internet has become the new battleground for geographical politics, and cybersecurity plays an increasingly important role in national security.

Tang said the law enforcement departments will enhance intelligence analysis and actively exchange information with national organization and institutions to protect cybersecurity.