Hong Kong must not become the weak link of the nation’s security, the central government’s top official in Hong Kong said on Wednesday.
In an online address marking the fifth National Security Education Day, Luo Huining — director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region — said the mechanism of maintaining national security in Hong Kong has not been perfected, resulting in relatively low recognition of the importance of national security among its people in the 23 years since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
“Such a weak link would be detrimental to the nation’s security in critical moments,” Luo said.
Hong Kong should enact, amend and activate the national security laws and put the law enforcement mechanism in place as soon as possible to prevent the city from becoming a potential risk to the nation’s security, he said.
Luo stressed that national security is part of people’s daily lives. For example, the current pandemic prevention and control is not only a matter of national security but also a battle that concerns everyone’s family, he said.
In his opinion, observing the rule of law remains an important part in safeguarding national security. Hong Kong should have zero tolerance of any act that would jeopardize the rule of law, he said.
Since June, radicalism and street violence have gripped the city in fear, undermining the city’s long-established core value — the rule of law. The separatism advocacy during the prolonged social unrest has destabilized Hong Kong, challenging the “one country, two systems” principle and threatening the nation’s security, Luo said.
Radical acts have continued to divide and batter the city even when it is in desperate need of concerted efforts to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak, he continued, noting that without the rule of law, there is no stability nor peace and order.
If that unlawfulness were allowed to go unchecked, copycats would follow and what would follow would be the direct challenge to China’s national security and the interests of Hong Kong people, Luo said.
In fact, safeguarding national security is protecting Hong Kong’s fundamental interests, he said.
Luo urged every Hong Kong resident to become a “guardian” and a “facilitator” of civility and the rule of law to propel society forward.
“As long as people shoulder their responsibilities and stay
united, we can overcome all challenges,” Luo said.
