Hong Kong national security law: Beijing’s top envoy in city hails police, warns ‘hostile foreign forces’ still at play

Liaison office director Zheng Yanxiong praises work of officers at passing-out parade at police college

He says force has made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s ‘transition from chaos to order’

Reading Time:3 minutes

99+

Zheng Yanxiong inspects officers at a passing-out parade for the first time in his role as liaison office director. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 12:08pm, 16 Sep 2023Updated: 8:28pm, 16 Sep 2023

Beijing’s top envoy in Hong Kong on Saturday called on local police to strictly enforce the national security law, warning that “hostile foreign forces” were still attempting to undermine the city’s stability while anti-China elements were plotting a comeback.

Liaison office director Zheng Yanxiong, who inspected officers at a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Police College in Wong Chuk Hang, also hailed officers’ efforts as a “heroic work of honour”. The force had eased entry requirements in the past year amid a hiring slump.

Zheng is the first liaison office chief to inspect a police passing-out parade. He took over his current position in January and attended a similar parade last July as the head of Beijing’s national security commission in the city.

Hong Kong police have eased entry requirements into the force amid a hiring slump. Photo: Edmond So

“In the past few years of working in Hong Kong, I have been fortunate enough to witness first-hand the outstanding performance of the Hong Kong Police Force in being fearless and loyal to their duties in the face of protester violence, the pandemic and foreign sanctions,” Zheng said in a speech.

He said the force had made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s “transition from chaos to order” while facing unprecedented tests in recent years – an apparent reference to the 2019 anti-government protests – by upholding social stability and cracking down on activities that endangered national security.

But he cautioned there was still a long road ahead in the mission to safeguard national security.

“There are still hostile foreign forces trying to disrupt Hong Kong’s development and stability, and anti-China elements are attempting to make a comeback in Hong Kong,” Zheng insisted.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x

Hong Kong national security law: Beijing’s top envoy in city hails police, warns ‘hostile foreign forces’ still at play

Liaison office director Zheng Yanxiong praises work of officers at passing-out parade at police college He says force has made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s ‘transition from chaos to order’

Liaison office director Zheng Yanxiong praises work of officers at passing-out parade at police college

He says force has made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s ‘transition from chaos to order’