Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs to deliver virtual keynote as part of city’s biggest National Security Education Day yet

City’s first awareness day following implementation of domestic national security law will be held on Monday and is set to be biggest since 2021 launch

Xia Baolong, the director of State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, will join high-profile seminar by video link as part of extensive programme

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Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director Xia Baolong (left) and Chief Executive John Lee attending a meeting last year. Photo: Jelly Tse

Published: 12:00pm, 14 Apr 2024Updated: 9:32pm, 14 Apr 2024

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs will deliver a virtual keynote speech in a high-profile seminar on Monday as part of the National Security Education Day’s packed programme, with analysts underscoring the occasion’s importance as a showcase for unity after the enactment of a domestic security law.

Xia Baolong, the director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, along with all the top officials from his bureau, will address the ceremony via video link, according to a government statement issued on behalf of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who gave a warm welcome to Xia on Sunday, is also expected to speak at the ceremony being held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, as well as Zheng Yanxiong, the director of the central government’s liaison office in the city.

Lee said the awareness day was particularly meaningful for the city this year, as it marked the 10th anniversary of the holistic approach to national security put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and it was also the first to be held after the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect last month.

“The prevailing geopolitics have become increasingly complex, and national security risks and threats remain imminent. The means taken to endanger national security can come in many different forms and persist, and the threat can emerge all of a sudden,” Lee said.

“The public should remain vigilant. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance requires [the city] to promote national security education and to raise the awareness of abiding by the law through public communication, guidance, supervision and regulation.”