ýÿThe following is issued on behalf of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:

     Launched today (April 15) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the 2024 National Security Education Day activities were hosted by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the National Security Committee) and supported by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) and the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OSNS). The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Xia Baolong, together with the leading officials of his office in Beijing, attended the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day via video link. Officiating guests attending the launching ceremony were Director Xia Baolong; the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and the Chairman of the National Security Committee, Mr John Lee; Director of LOCPG and National Security Advisor of the National Security Committee, Mr Zheng Yanxiong; Head of OSNS, Mr Dong Jingwei; Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Yongsheng; and Deputy Political Commissar of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, Major General Wang Zhaobing.

     In his keynote speech delivered via video link at the opening ceremony, Director Xia Baolong said that on March 19, the Hong Kong Legislative Council unanimously passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. On March 23, the Ordinance took effect by publication in the Gazette. It was a significant milestone in the implementation of "one country, two systems", signifying that Hong Kong had further strengthened the legal defence in safeguarding national security. Today, with the protection offered by national security legislation and the full implementation of the "patriots administering Hong Kong" principle, Hong Kong has bid farewell to the era of instability, and welcomes the best time to get fully focused on pursuing economic growth and advancing development. Director Xia pointed out that to realise the transition "from stability to prosperity", the HKSAR must meet five needs: (1) the need to firmly safeguard the bottom line for national security so as to provide the necessary condition for promoting high-quality development; (2) the need to steadfastly implement "one country, two systems", giving full play to the fundamental safeguard provided by the principle in maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability; (3) the need to consolidate and make the best use of Hong Kong's unique position and advantages, and further shaping such unique role and advantages; (4) the need to better integrate into the national development to bring continuous impetus and more business opportunities to Hong Kong; and (5) the need to proactively adapt to new situation and new challenges, embrace new responsibilities, so as to break new grounds and achieve new leap forward in the course of positive actions, innovations and creations. The realisation of the transition "from stability to prosperity" is the common enterprise of the whole community of Hong Kong. The citizens will surely adhere to the "Lion Rock spirit" to pioneer and explore, to confront changes with flexibility, to strive, to persevere and to move forward, to continue to create a new legend of development for Hong Kong and a brighter future together. With the strong backing of the Motherland and efforts by all people of Hong Kong, Hong Kong will have a bright prospect en route "from stability to prosperity". The train of "Hong Kong" in the new era will advance unhindered.

     Mr Lee said, "The inspiring keynote speech by Director Xia has pointed to the direction for Hong Kong to realise the transition 'from stability to prosperity'. I am sincerely grateful to Director Xia for the care, guidance and support he has given Hong Kong all along. As Director Xia said, the realisation of the transition 'from stability to prosperity' is the common enterprise of the whole community of Hong Kong. We will definitely adhere to the 'Lion Rock spirit' to better implement this mission solidly, and to continue to create a new legend of Hong Kong development."

     In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee said although Hong Kong had completed the legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law and injected an effective vaccine to safeguard national security, threats of national security which are like viruses would still attack us. Therefore, the HKSAR Government will implement the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in four areas. These include making continuous efforts to brief the community; reviewing and strengthening internal systems; sparing no effort in enhancing the executive capability on preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for national security offences; and strengthening national security education. Following the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on March 23, Hong Kong has put up a shield and strengthened the defence wall of national security. As the HKSAR transits "from stability to prosperity", it will focus its efforts on pursuing economic growth, advancing development, improving people's livelihood and bringing fulfillment to the people. The HKSAR Government will strengthen five major areas of work: (1) to forge a better integration of a capable government and an efficient market, to pursue more results, develop the economy and improve people's livelihood; (2) to seize the opportunities brought about by our country's policy of developing new quality productive forces; (3) to develop Hong Kong as a talent hub; (4) to capitalise on Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world, and to create unlimited opportunities for Hong Kong; and (5) to develop the domestic economy, including boosting tourism, consumption and investment, and to continue to support the continuing development of small-and-medium sized enterprises.

     In his speech, Director Zheng pointed out that the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, as well as the National Security Committee and the OSNS are the "dual legislation and dual enforcement mechanism" indispensable for the rule of law system in Hong Kong. The "dual legislation and dual enforcement mechanism" will exercise central jurisdiction and fulfil the HKSAR's responsibility effectively, functioning as a double insurance to safeguard national security comprehensively. Director Zheng stressed that the HKSAR must steadfastly safeguard the long-term implementation of "one country, two systems", firmly co-ordinate high-level security and high-quality development, firmly resolve problems at root and strengthen nationalism and patriotism, resolutely and decisively seize the opportunities to create a bright future for Hong Kong development and firmly support the Chief Executive and the governing team of the HKSAR in shouldering the constitutional responsibility.

     Director Dong shared four points in his speech: (1) the implementation of a "holistic approach to national security" has yielded fruitful results; (2) safeguarding national security in Hong Kong is a continuous endeavor with no end point; (3) for Hong Kong to realise the transition "from stability to prosperity", high-quality development must go hand in hand with high-level security safeguard; and (4) safeguarding national security according to the law is a pre-requisite for the faithful implementation of a "holistic approach to national security". Director Dong said the OSNS would work with the HKSAR to fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

     Acting Commissioner Li pointed out that Chinese diplomacy firmly adhered to the requirements under a "holistic approach to national security" by safeguarding our country's security and international common security simultaneously, participating in improving global security governance actively, and tackling various security risks and challenges together with other countries. The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR fully and faithfully implements the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the Central Authorities' strategy of governing Hong Kong, and strives for three "insistence": (1) insistence on protecting Hong Kong through diplomacy by halting any interference of Hong Kong's affairs by external forces; (2) insistence on benefiting Hong Kong through diplomacy by strongly supporting Hong Kong to extend interaction and co-operation with external jurisdictions; (3) insistence on diplomacy for the people by safeguarding the legitimate interests of Hong Kong compatriots overseas.

     Major General Wang said that national security is the top priority. It is a blessing for the people to enjoy peace; it is the responsibility of the people's army to defend peace. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) always stays true to the original mission and entrusted responsibilities, guarding the Pearl of the Orient faithfully. As Hong Kong transits "from chaos to stability" and "from stability to prosperity", the PLA Hong Kong Garrison will firmly and faithfully implement the strategic decisions of the Central Authorities, Central Military Commission of the PRC and President Xi Jinping. The Garrison will strengthen its military preparedness to safeguard sovereign security and Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability with enhanced capability, and contribute to the long-term implementation and development of "one country, two systems".

     The theme of the 2024 HKSAR National Security Education Day is "10th Anniversary of a holistic approach to national security". This year's events have many new elements: for the first time, the Government and a private foundation jointly organised a 5-month programme called "National Security Knowledge Challenge for All Schools in Hong Kong", which was participated by more than 100 000 primary and secondary school students for deepening their understanding of national security; the first "National Security Education Study Tour" which took 75 teachers and students from 17 secondary schools to Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou to experience and appreciate first-hand the importance of different fields of national security and the significance of "national security as the bedrock for Hong Kong's security, home security and people's security". For the first time, a new animation titled "Young Guardians of National Security" was produced, conveying the importance of knowing the law, abiding by the law, and safeguarding national security through a child's perspective and the latter's observation and interactions in the insect world. Also for the first time, numerous government policy bureaux and departments as well as youth uniform groups held different activities at the same time to enhance understanding of national security, and the first brochure titled "A Holistic Approach to National Security" with elaboration on 20 security fields was launched to deepen citizens' understanding of this important subject.

     Apart from the above, the disciplined services held a solemn and grand flag-raising ceremony on April 15, and "National Security Cup" sports events and open days before April 15. In addition, 18 District Councils have organised different events, including seminars, carnivals, competitions, lectures, etc., to allow Hong Kong citizens to participate in and understand national security.

     The National Security Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that April 15 of each year is the National Security Education Day. The aim of National Security Education Day is to raise citizens' awareness of safeguarding national security and help them appreciate that everyone has a responsibility for national security and should fulfil such responsibility.

Ends/Monday, April 15, 2024
Issued at HKT 23:59

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