Editorial | Uncertain times make Beijing’s vigilance on national security more critical
Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong, is right to ask the business community to stand firm and protect the interests of the city and the nation
National Security Education Day has become an important event in the Hong Kong government’s calendar over the past decade.
Amid intensifying geopolitical tensions fuelled by the much-criticised move by the United States to raise tariffs, Tuesday’s occasion has added significance in Hong Kong’s drive to strengthen public awareness and protection on this front.
This is especially important as the changing global political and economic order has made the outlook increasingly uncertain.
The tough rhetoric from Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong, underlined China’s resolute stance against foreign pressure in the escalating trade war.
Criticising the US move as “extremely arrogant and shameless”, Xia, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said: “The US isn’t after our tariffs – it is after our very survival ...
“This makes it clearer to the world that the US cannot tolerate Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and it is the biggest sinister manipulator undermining human rights, freedom, the rule of law, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.”