Justice secretary urges 'daily' national security endeavor

Ayra Wang

National security education should be an ongoing daily effort rather than confined to specific dates, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said as Hong Kong prepares to mark its 10th National Security Education Day on April 15.

In an interview with Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister newspaper, he drew an analogy to Valentine's Day, saying: "We shouldn't only show affection on February 14, just as we shouldn't only focus on national security on one designated day."

Addressing the United States' accusations of "cross-border suppression" through Hong Kong's national security laws, Lam argued that many countries, including the US, prosecute extraterritorial threats to their national security.

"If an American citizen plots a terrorist attack abroad, does that mean the US can't take action? Of course, they can and they would," Lam said, defending China's right to hold its citizens accountable regardless of location. He stressed that Hong Kong has never engaged in overseas arrests or kidnappings, which would violate international law.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com