Xia Baolong hails NSL as Hong Kong's "guardian" at fifth anniversary forum

China's top Hong Kong affairs official, Xia Baolong, delivered a resolute defense of Hong Kong's National Security Law during a major forum commemorating the legislation's fifth anniversary on Saturday.

The high-profile event held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today brought together senior officials, including Chief Executive John Lee, Central Government Liaison Office Director Zhou Ji, and National Security Office Director Dong Jingwei, presenting a united front in support of the controversial legislation.

From chaos to order

In his keynote address, Xia framed the NSL as the decisive factor in transforming Hong Kong from what he described as the chaos of the 2019 protests to its current state of stability. The veteran official characterized the law as Hong Kong's "guardian angel" that protected the city's prosperity and residents' well-being.

He painted a vivid contrast between the protest period, where he claimed ordinary citizens feared speaking Mandarin in public, and the current environment of restored safety and normalcy. Xia particularly emphasized how the NSL created conditions for completing the long-awaited Article 23 local security legislation earlier this year, fulfilling what he called a constitutional obligation that had been delayed for over two decades.

Economic reassurances and future vision

Addressing international concerns about the law's impact, Xia pointed to Hong Kong's maintained position as the world's third-ranked financial center and strong performance in capital markets as evidence of continued vitality. He cited recent American Chamber of Commerce research showing majority confidence among international businesses as proof that Hong Kong remains attractive to global investors.

Looking forward, the official outlined an ambitious vision of Hong Kong deepening its integration with mainland China's development initiatives while preserving its unique character. Xia promised new central government policies to support this integration, particularly through the Greater Bay Area project, while maintaining what he called Hong Kong's "distinct advantages."

Challenges and continued vigilance

While celebrating the law's achievements, Xia cautioned that Hong Kong still faces challenges from what he termed "hostile forces" employing more sophisticated methods. He praised security personnel who faced Western sanctions as "patriotic heroes" and called for ongoing public vigilance.

The forum concluded with Xia asserting that the NSL had not changed Hong Kong's essence, but rather preserved it for future generations by creating the stability needed for lasting prosperity. His remarks reinforced Beijing's narrative that the controversial legislation represents not a restriction but rather a necessary foundation for Hong Kong's continued success as China's global financial gateway.