Home Affairs Department holds seminar on 5th anniversary of promulgation and implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law for National Security Education District Tutors (with photos)
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The seminar was held in the Central Government Offices. Guests attending the event included the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk. Around 700 district tutors from the 18 Districts attended the seminar.
Addressing the seminar, Miss Mak said that as national security is closely related to everyone and is inseparable, the Government and all sectors in society need to safeguard national security together. Since the Government officially launched the National Security Education District Tutor Training Scheme in November last year, as of early April 2025, over 3 000 district tutors have completed the training and have disseminated messages on national security to over 120 000 individuals in the community. As important partners of the Government, district tutors have actively engaged with communities, schools, and people of all ages through a diverse range of activities and, by using vivid, accessible and innovative approaches, have disseminated important messages on national security. This helps the public understand more about and attach importance to national security.
Miss Mak hopes that through the seminar, all district tutors can further enhance their awareness of safeguarding national security and help disseminate related messages across various groups. Together, they will cultivate a strong foundation for national security education and patriotic values throughout the community.
In delivering a keynote speech titled "Hong Kong National Security Law Builds Fort for National Security and the Safety of Hong Kong", Dr Cheung elaborated on the situation in Hong Kong since the implementation of the NSL, as well as the current national security risks faced by the city and the importance of enhancing national security education.
He stressed that "to forget war is to court disaster", and pointed out that although the NSL, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and other local laws have worked in concert to improve the legal framework for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the actual risks of national security for both the country and the HKSAR are still there. Citing various examples from local and overseas, he reminded participants to continuously assess national security risks, enhance national security education, and strengthen national security awareness across all sectors of the community.
Mr Cheuk delivered a keynote speech on the current security risks in Hong Kong and elaborated on the Government's response strategies, including adhering to the principle of "laws are observed and strictly enforced, so as to bring offenders to account", strengthening intelligence gathering and law enforcement, promptly rebutting smears, optimising legal tools, and enhancing interdepartmental collaboration, as well as publicity and education. He encouraged district tutors to learn more about the Constitution, the Basic Law, and Hong Kong's laws on safeguarding national security, and actively integrate into the country to recognise the close ties of the cultures of Hong Kong and the Mainland which share the same origin, distinguish right from wrong to debunk allegations and actions of "soft resistance" in the community, and promptly report suspected acts endangering national security to protect our home.
In addition, district tutors Miss Li Ka-ying and Mr Chu Wai-lam shared their valuable experiences in promoting national security education and raising public awareness of national security in the community. The two of them expressed that they will continue to serve as a connection between the Government and the community. By using their network, they can reach people from all walks of life and convey national security messages in a lively manner, thereby cultivating people's sense of patriotism and jointly protecting their beautiful home - Hong Kong.
The Chief Executive proposed in the 2023 Policy Address to train tutors at the district level for promoting national security education in the community. The Government launched the National Security Education District Tutor Training Scheme in November 2024, aiming to strengthen community participation through the scheme, hoping that the scheme can actively encourage all citizens to understand a holistic approach to national security and the significance of safeguarding national security, thereby fostering a collective commitment to uphold it and ultimately building a safe and stable social environment.
Ends/Thursday, May 15, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:06
Issued at HKT 19:06
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