Activities for 2025 National Security Education Day were launched at the Convention & Exhibition Centre today.
In his keynote speech, delivered via video link at the opening ceremony, CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong said China had achieved historic successes in national security work over the past decade, while Hong Kong had gone through an extraordinary journey from chaos to governance and then from governance to greater prosperity.
Mr Xia highlighted three “beliefs” in his speech. The first belief is that the national security institutions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will resolutely shoulder the sacred mission of maintaining national security and further strengthen the solid barrier for national security.
The second belief is that all sectors of Hong Kong can actively fulfil their obligation to maintain national security and jointly protect the city.
While the third belief is that the business community and entrepreneurs can make Hong Kong their home, build their businesses, and contribute to both Hong Kong and the country with more practical actions.
Mr Xia also mentioned that many Hong Kong officials have been unreasonably sanctioned by the US for their work in maintaining national security, but added that they are steadfastly fulfilling their duties and willing to sacrifice their own interests for the benefit of the country.
He expressed hope that the Hong Kong business community and entrepreneurs would continue to play a leading role in driving economic development, carry forward the tradition of patriotism and love for Hong Kong, correctly understand the relationship between their own enterprises and the development of both Hong Kong and the nation, and uphold righteousness and never forget national interests.
Chief Executive and Hong Kong National Security Committee Chairman John Lee supplemented that the international landscape is complex and fast changing, noting that threats to national security can appear suddenly.
He called for vigilance when embracing immense challenges and making preparations in four areas: resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the “one country, two systems” principle; thoroughly implement the holistic approach to national security; continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security; and actively promote by way of education across society the need to safeguard national security of our own accord.
Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong Director and National Security Committee National Security Advisor Zheng Yanxiong also attended the activities.
He emphasised in his speech the need to further strengthen the foundation for the awareness of safeguarding national security, to better co-ordinate high-quality development with high-level security, and to actively pursue Hong Kong’s important mission.
To mark the 10th National Security Education Day, the National Security Exhibition Gallery launched an expo last month on national security education advanced by both the country and the Hong Kong SAR Government over the years.
Meanwhile, about 3,000 tutors have completed training under the National Security Education District Tutor Training Scheme launched in November last year and shared national security messages with over 120,000 people in the community.
Additionally, the “Territory-wide Inter-school National Security Knowledge Challenge” has introduced an English section for non-Chinese speaking secondary school students this academic year.
