“Soft resistance” led by local agents and foreign forces-imposed sanctions are among the four national security risks that still threaten Hong Kong, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said.

His comment came ahead of the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Beijing-imposed National Security Law on June 30 in 2020.

He said the enactment of the NSL in 2020 and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in 2024 have filled legal gaps, turned Hong Kong from "chaos to order" and created a stronger defense against acts endangering national security.

"Hong Kong now ranks first in the world for economic freedom, fifth in competitiveness, and ninth in safety—far surpassing the US and UK, which are 30th and 33rd, respectively," Tang said.

However, he warned the city of four national security risks: the smearing and sanctions from foreign forces; local terrorism; absconders continuing acts that endanger national security; and “soft resistance.”

In “soft resistance,” false narratives and misinformation are used to undermine public trust in the government, Tang said, with around 200 such cases debunked, including claims about cross-border organ donations and the politicization of a professor’s suicide.

"Citizens should critically assess information sources, verify evidence, and refer to government clarifications to counter soft resistance.”

Outlining the bureau’s priorities, Tang said efforts include legislative and policy work, such as drafting subsidiary legislation for the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and updating the Social Workers Registration Ordinance.

On enforcement, he stressed a zero-tolerance approach: "All illegal acts will be investigated, and the law will be strictly enforced."

Under the new ordinance, 13 individuals have been designated as absconders. Tang said those listed face measures including frozen assets, revoked passports, and suspended professional licenses until they return to Hong Kong.

Tang urged fugitives to surrender, warning that Western countries offering them temporary refuge would eventually "discard them when they lose utility”.

To strengthen national security education, the bureau has also integrated related content into school curricula and trained 3,000 community instructors to educate 120,000 citizens. 

The Security Bureau has also released a new comic book titled Andy and Security Bear to promote national security awareness among students.

The illustrated book, featuring the bureau’s national security mascots Andy and Security Bear, uses storytelling to help kindergarten, primary, and secondary school students better understand national security concepts.

(Ayra Wang)