Activities for the 2024 National Security Education Day were launched at the Convention & Exhibition Centre today.
 

In his keynote speech, delivered via video link at the opening ceremony, CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong said that the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which took effect on March 23, is a significant milestone in the implementation of “one country, two systems”.
 

Mr Xia said that today, with the protection offered by national security legislation and the full implementation of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, Hong Kong has bade farewell to an era of instability, allowing it to be fully focused on pursuing economic growth and advancing development.
 

He stressed that to realise the transition from stability to prosperity, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must meet five needs: the need to firmly safeguard national security so as to provide the necessary conditions for high-quality development; the need to steadfastly implement “one country, two systems” and give full play to its fundamental safeguards in maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability; the need to consolidate, make best use of and further develop Hong Kong’s unique position and advantages; the need to better integrate into national development so as to bring new impetus and more business opportunities to Hong Kong; and the need to adapt to new situations and challenges, and to embrace new responsibilities, so as to break new ground and achieve a new leap forward.
 

Realising the transition from stability to prosperity is the common enterprise of the whole community of Hong Kong, he said.
 

Mr Xia added that citizens will surely draw on the Lion Rock spirit to pioneer change, explore opportunities, strive, persevere and move forward, thereby creating a new era of development for Hong Kong and a brighter future together. He said that with the strong backing of the Motherland and the efforts of all Hong Kong people, the city will advance unhindered.
 

Chief Executive and National Security Committee Chairman John Lee said Mr Xia’s inspiring speech pointed to the direction Hong Kong must take to realise the transition from stability to prosperity. He was grateful to Mr Xia for the care, guidance and support he has given Hong Kong.
 

In his own keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government will implement the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in four ways: by making continuous efforts to brief the community; by reviewing and strengthening internal systems; by sparing no effort in enhancing executive capabilities to prevent suppress, and impose punishment for national security offences; and by strengthening national security education.
 

Mr Lee said that following the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on March 23, Hong Kong has put up a shield and strengthened the defensive wall of its national security.
 

He added that as Hong Kong SAR transits from stability to prosperity, it will focus its efforts on pursuing economic growth, advancing development, improving people's livelihoods and bringing fulfilment to the people.
 

Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong Director and National Security Committee National Security Advisor Zheng Yanxiong also attended the activities.
 

The theme of this year’s National Security Education Day is “10th Anniversary of a Holistic Approach to National Security”. A five-month programme, the “National Security Knowledge Challenge for All Schools in Hong Kong”, has been jointly organised by the Government and a private foundation, with more 100,000 primary and secondary school students participating.
 

Events included the first National Security Education Study Tour, in which 75 teachers and students from 17 secondary schools visited Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou to experience and appreciate first-hand the importance of various aspects of national security.