Hong Kong to balance vigilance and fairness on national security: Tam Yiu-chung

Hong Kong should remain vigilant against the threat of "soft resistance," but authorities are unlikely to "wrongfully accuse" individuals, according to Tam Yiu-chung, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies.

Speaking on a radio program on Monday, Tam said he supports reducing funding for groups involved in soft resistance but believes the government will act with caution and fairness.

"I don't think the government would recklessly wrong anyone," Tam said, adding that any action should consider the background, intent, and impact of the groups involved.

Tam emphasized that while soft resistance is not a pressing problem in Hong Kong, society must stay alert.

He explained that, unlike overt or violent opposition in the past, soft resistance now often appears in more subtle forms, such as the use of games or indirect messaging to promote separatist ideas or undermine trust in the Hong Kong or central governments.

Recent days have seen several officials, including Environment Secretary Tse Chin-wan, speak about the need to tighten scrutiny over public resources to ensure they do not fall into the hands of "non-patriots" or groups suspected of soft resistance.

This includes stricter vetting of applications for event subsidies, performance venues, and other government support.

Tam commented that in some cases, cutting funding may be necessary to prevent disruptive forces from gaining ground, but he stressed that authorities would not act arbitrarily and would conduct thorough assessments.

When asked whether the government should explicitly state when national security is at issue, Tam suggested officials may prefer a softer approach, using discretion rather than making direct accusations. He noted that government departments are already highly vigilant to prevent any threats to national security.

On the question of whether satire or criticism of the government constitutes soft resistance, Tam said it depends on the intent and degree.

"Reflecting reality or criticizing the government is not a problem," he said, adding that the government is handling such matters appropriately.

Tam's comments come as Hong Kong marks the fifth anniversary of the national security law, with top officials and Beijing envoys warning that the city still faces security threats and must remain alert to new forms of resistance.

At a recent national security forum, Xia Baolong, Beijing’s top official on Hong Kong affairs, urged the city not to become complacent and to maintain stability while pursuing high-quality development.