Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, makes a speech via video at the opening ceremony of 2024 National Security Education Day. Photo: Dotdotnews.com

Hong Kong has bid farewell to its turbulent recent past and completely ended the history of being unguarded in safeguarding national security. With the protection of national security laws, it is the best time for Hong Kong to fully focus on the economy and seek development, a senior Chinese official on Hong Kong affairs said on Monday. 

On the occasion of 2024 National Security Education Day in Hong Kong, Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made an address via video to a ceremony on Monday, remarking that the unanimous passage of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance by the Hong Kong Legislative Council on March 23 is a milestone event that has a profound influence on Hong Kong's transition from governance to prosperity and long-term stability. 

It demonstrates a new atmosphere of efficient government operation, Xia said, noting that building a better Hong Kong and promoting its prosperity to thrive, so that local residents can lead better lives, has become the greatest consensus and expectation.

After the completion of the legislation of Article 23, 25 key enterprises have established operations in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong has successively hosted major financial and cultural events. It is believed that investors have cast their votes of confidence in Hong Kong with real investments, reflecting that Hong Kong remains the best place in the world for business environments, Xia said.

It is considered the best place to conduct business, make money, and achieve dreams, adding that  "dark clouds cannot obscure the sunlight in the universe," the senior Chinese official noted. 

Hong Kong's prosperity "cannot be talked down by a few articles, or some noises," and Hong Kong's development cannot be obstructed by small obstacles, Xia said. "Let those who cannot bear to see Hong Kong succeed lament, for Hong Kong's tomorrow is destined to be brilliant." 

Hong Kong's internationalization, rule of law, and marketization will not be weakened but will shine even more brightly, Xia continued. 

It is also believed that Hong Kong's role as an important bridge and window connecting the Chinese mainland and the world will become more prominent, he said. "Whenever Hong Kong is in need, the motherland will respond... support from the motherland will only be strengthened, not weakened," the senior official said, emphasizing that the central government fully supports Hong Kong's transition from governance to prosperity, with "more measures to support and benefit Hong Kong to follow."

"Security is a prerequisite for development. Without national security, there can be no stable environment, nor sustainable development," Hong Kong's Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee said at the ceremony on Monday. 

Hong Kong endured the painful days of the "black-clad violence" in 2019, and with foreign forces still covetously watching, vigilance must be heightened. We must recognize the methods and characteristics of actions that undermine national security, which are sudden, long lasting, and covert, Lee said. 

Hostile forces will continue to attack Hong Kong for political gain, just like a virus that will not disappear simply because Hong Kong has been vaccinated. Hong Kong cannot "forget the pain once the wound heals" and must take preventive measures, the CE said. 

Lee emphasized that it's necessary to heighten vigilance and recognize the characteristics of activities that endanger national security. 

The first is their suddenness, Lee said, citing the recent unexpected terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall as an example. The second is their long lasting feature as hostile forces will not suddenly disappear, and threats will wait for opportunities to attack, similar to how viruses behave, he said. 

And the third is their covert nature as he pointed out that foreign intelligence personnel or agents may hide within various industries, and might even assume the identities of ordinary civilians, marry, have children, and only years later carry out terrorist activities such as bombings, Lee noted. 

While Hong Kong has completed its historical mission by enacting the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Lee urged that relevant work to continue being strengthened. 

For instance, the Security Bureau and the Department of Justice will clarify and help the community understand the content concerning the provisions of Article 23, and there will be an active review and strengthening of internal systems, especially enhancing training to ensure that government officials understand the requirements of the ordinance, Lee said. 

In terms of law enforcement, there will be strict adherence to the law to ensure law enforcement officers understand the basis of their authority and its proper use, additionally, national security education, patriotism education, and Chinese cultural education will be integrated and promoted simultaneously, he said.