Law enforcement vital task for Hong Kong

Hong Kong authorities vowed to further strengthen national security work with an emphasis on protecting cybersecurity and countering homegrown terrorism, as the city marked National Security Education Day on Friday.

On the second education day after the implementation of the National Security Law, the special administrative region held multiple activities, including a special TV program introducing core concepts of national security, and used large billboards in downtown areas to promote the day. The Civil Service College also launched related online courses for civil servants.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the government has done a lot of work in safeguarding national security, such as enacting the National Security Law to protect the homeland and safeguard social security, and improving the electoral system to ensure political security.

She stressed the need to further propel such efforts, especially in protecting the security of food and hygiene, as well as cybersecurity. She also hopes the government can help further strengthen public understanding of overall national security.

Former chief secretary John Lee Ka-chiu, who is a candidate in the upcoming chief executive election on May 8, said Hong Kong residents have suffered a lot from security threats. The city must make enough preparations to manage national security risks, in order to lay a solid foundation for development.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on social media that the implementation of the National Security Law has greatly helped manage national security risks in Hong Kong. External forces have abated and many radical social groups advocating separatism have been disbanded.

Since the implementation of the law, police have arrested 182 people suspected of endangering national security, and 114 people and five companies have been charged with related offenses. They include media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and his associates, opposition politicians who sought to paralyze the city's operations and a social group suspected of inciting others to topple the SAR government.

To counter homegrown terrorism, law enforcement agencies detected over 20 cases involving explosives, firearms or ammunition, by the end of last year, Tang said.

He cautioned that external forces continue to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, with attempts to endanger national security. The authorities will remain vigilant and take resolute action to minimize such risks.

Besides firmly enforcing existing laws, Hong Kong's Security Bureau is also aiming to improve the anti-terrorism intelligence system and establish cybersecurity legislation to bolster national security work.

A survey released on Friday by the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions showed that 95 percent of respondents agreed that Article 23 of the Basic Law should be implemented soon to help the city better guard against national security risks.

Secretary for Innovation and Technology Alfred Sit Wing-hang said on social media that the bureau has held promotional activities every year with other government departments to raise public awareness of cybersecurity threats. He also fully supports the Security Bureau strengthening internet security related to the key infrastructure in the city. Last year, 7,725 online security incidents were handled.

Sit said that everyone is obliged to do their best to protect their own information, and maintain a safe online environment. Further strengthening residents' awareness of cybersecurity is of crucial importance.