Hong Kong’s National Security Education Day: pupils to be briefed on Xi Jinping’s focus on protecting country, Article 23 law ‘safety barrier’

Script provided to teachers to read out on National Security Education Day on April 15 underlines Chinese president’s ideology, merits of new Article 23 law

Schools are encouraged to host activities to create positive atmosphere, with suggestions to let pupils share about protecting national security in daily lives

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Pupils take part in a flag raising competition. Teachers have been asked to brief pupils on a widened scope of national security concerns outlined by the country. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 1:37pm, 28 Mar 2024Updated: 2:07pm, 28 Mar 2024

Hong Kong authorities have told schools to brief pupils on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on national security and the “safety barrier” created under the new Article 23 law during a citywide awareness day next month.

The circular issued to primary and secondary schools on Wednesday provided a script of bullet points for teachers to read out to mark National Security Education Day on April 15 at morning assemblies or classes.

This year’s event will be the first since Hong Kong enacted the domestic national security legislation required under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.

“The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance has erected a ‘safety barrier’ for Hong Kong and consolidated the ‘protection wall’ which facilitated the transition ‘from chaos to governance’ and brought about security in society,” the script said.

Education minister Christine Choi Yuk-lin earlier told the Post that students should learn about the enactment of the Article 23 legislation, but details of its offences did not need to be included in the school curriculum.

The script said this year marked the 10th anniversary of Xi’s holistic approach to national security, and that the city had fulfilled its constitutional responsibility by passing the law.

The holistic view is part of an ideology introduced in 2014 covering a wide range of security issues, from politics and the military to technology, cyberspace, outer space and biosecurity.