Xia to give National Security speech

Beijing's top official on Hong Kong affairs Xia Baolong will deliver a keynote speech at the National Security Education Day opening ceremony today via video link.

Xia, director of the Communist Party's Hong Kong and Macao Work Office and the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, will give a prerecorded message at the ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

All leading officials of Xia's office in Beijing will also attend the opening ceremony via video link.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu yesterday welcomed Xia's attendance albeit not in person, saying this year's National Security Education Day is "particularly meaningful for Hong Kong."

Lee added: "This year marks the 10th anniversary of a holistic approach to national security put forward by President Xi Jinping."

It is also the first National Security Education Day after Hong Kong "has accomplished its mission" to enact local legislation of Basic Law Article 23 - the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Lee said.

He said geopolitics have become increasingly complex, and national security risks and threats remain imminent.

"The means endangering national security can emerge in many different forms and persist. The public should remain vigilant," Lee warned.

National Security Education Day activities organized by the National Security Committee "help raise the awareness and the sense of responsibility for safeguarding national security among Hong Kong citizens, reminding them to stay alert to national security risks," he added.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said Hong Kong must remain vigilant even after it has improved the legal system to safeguard national security and various sectors in society should cooperate with the government to carry out national security education.

Tang said the government will launch a national security exhibition hall this year and train district mentors to promote national security education in the community.

"The authorities will also update the national security law online virtual exhibition to include popular elements such as mobile games and animation, attracting young people to participate," he said.

And Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said more than 190,000 students and teachers have joined a national security participation program launched by the Education Bureau and Security Bureau over the past three years, showing that the concept of national security has taken root on campus.