Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, 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)

HONG KONG - Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Saturday that national security is the cornerstone of the successful implementation of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s lasting stability and prosperity. He added that he hopes every resident in the city will play a part in the extraordinary mission to safeguard national security and will always stay alert to hidden threats. 

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Xia, who is on a six-day visit to the city, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the city's National Security Education Day 2023.

Xia believes the HKSAR's governance team will diligently fulfill its main responsibility of safeguarding national security, and the city’s patriotic forces will fully support its law-based governance

He stressed that safeguarding national security is to uphold “one country, two systems", to promote Hong Kong's prosperity and development, to protect Hong Kong's democracy and freedom, to safeguard the human rights and fundamental well-being of all Hong Kong residents, and to safeguard the interests of all foreign and mainland investors in the city. “Everything else will be meaningless without security and stability.”

“Hong Kong should be peaceful and stable, without riots and turmoil; prosperous and thriving, without decline and failure; united in sincerity, without separation and division; governed by civilization and the rule of law, and without barbarism and dishonesty. This is the common aspiration of all people in Hong Kong,” he continued. 

Xia reviewed the city's historic transition from the turmoil of 2019 to its current stability, brought about through the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong in 2020, and said the successful results were achieved thanks to the great efforts of the central government and Hong Kong people. 

Although the "color revolution" did not succeed in Hong Kong, the political turbulence served as a wake-up call for everyone and clearly demonstrated the importance of safeguarding national security, he added.

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During the current and upcoming development stages, Xia believes that the SAR's governance team will diligently fulfill its main responsibility of safeguarding national security, and the city’s patriotic forces will fully support its law-based governance. The city’s legislative and judicial bodies will also accurately implement the National Security Law and address new problems arising from its implementation, he added.

He stressed that ordinary residents also share an obligation in the mission,  as everyone will benefit from the city’s stability and prosperity. Performing this duty is not contradictory to people’s freedom to express their personal demands, and public processions are not the only way to lodge appeals and protect interests, Xia said.

He encouraged young people in Hong Kong to shoulder their responsibilities to their families, the city and the nation, and to make their own contributions to the city’s harmony and stability.

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In addition, Xia slammed the continuous smears against Hong Kong from external forces since the implementation of the National Security Law, saying the city remains one of the freest economies in the world, and global investors' confidence in Hong Kong has been further boosted as the city has restored stability. 

Xia arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday and kicked off a six-day inspection visit in the city. Over the past two days, he met with officials, political and community leaders. He also went to the District Health Centre in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, and to the Shamshuipo District Elderly Community Centre where he listened to the demands of grassroots people.