To the surprise of many, protesters who took to the streets to protest against the promulgation of the national security law for Hong Kong on Wednesday were much fewer in number than expected. Even casual observers have noticed that both the scale of protest activities and the ferocity of the violence perpetrated by the radical protesters after the promulgation of the law were nowhere near the level that occurred immediately before its promulgation — a sign that more and more political radicals have come down to earth.

It is time for members of the opposition camp to come down to earth. They must now accept the reality: No foreign interference or external pressure can have any impact on the faithful implementation of the national security law for Hong Kong

That said, police officers dispatched to the scenes of protest activities on Wednesday arrested 10 people for carrying signs advocating Hong Kong Independence, which makes the suspects open to charges of breaking the new national security law. Whether it was the offenders’ intention to test the national security law, the offenses they allegedly committed qualify them as the first potential subjects for national-security-related prosecutions under the new law.

If eventually prosecuted and convicted, they will not only serve lengthy prison sentences but also carry for the rest of their lives a criminal record that will carry many personal impediments. Challenging the national security law, either driven by an illusory sense of heroism or some outlandish political objectives, is anything but a wise move that is worth a try for anyone, particularly the youth.

By resisting strong Western pressure to scrap the legislation and braving foreign “sanctions”, Beijing has demonstrated its determination to fulfill its constitutional obligation to safeguard national security in Hong Kong, and so has the Hong Kong SAR government. Anyone who challenges the national security law is doomed to regret it soon.

It is time for members of the opposition camp to come down to earth. They must now accept the reality: No foreign interference or external pressure can have any impact on the faithful implementation of the national security law for Hong Kong. They themselves, their families, relatives, friends and colleagues will all foot the bill for the foreign “sanctions” they are begging for. Opposition politicians in the city have indulged in toxic, destructive politics for decades and have achieved nothing so far. Isn’t it time for them to change course and choose a constructive way to promote their political ideas?