Hong Kong marks National Security Education Day with anti-terrorism drills, weapons displays for students as top official urges resolve in defending ‘bottom line’
- Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong, Luo Huining, urged the local government to remain firm in safeguarding national security, calling it the key to solving a host of social problems
- Director of liaison office adds it is every Hong Kong resident’s responsibility to protect the city’s stability, as they had paid a heavy price during the social unrest of 2019
Hong Kong officially celebrated National Security Education Day on Thursday with citywide events ranging from Chinese military-style marches and anti-terrorism drills to school promotional activities for children and weapons displays for students, while top officials made speeches urging unity to maintain stability and resist foreign interference.
Government departments and supporting community organisations went all out to mark the day for the first time since the imposition of Hong Kong’s national security law by Beijing nine months ago.
Top officials and politicians held a three-hour symposium at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai to hail the legislation for helping restore stability after the anti-government protest chaos of 2019, and to justify the drastic overhaul of the city’s political system that followed.
Among them was Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong, Luo Huining, who urged the local government to remain firm in safeguarding national security, calling it a “bottom line” and key to solving a host of social problems with the central government’s support.
“With [the national security law … the city] now has acquired the necessary prerequisites for addressing deep-seated economic and livelihood issues,” he said. “Neither the central authorities nor local residents will tolerate anyone who ventures to challenge the bottom line of national security and public order.”
