Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks at the 2023 Fight Crime Conference at the Central Government Offices in Tamar, Hong Kong, Nov 18, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR)

HONG KONG – Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu urged Hong Kong residents to help safeguard national security and say no to the resurgence of the violent protests of 2019, underscoring the need for stability to attract global investors.

“Everyone who loves our home, Hong Kong, has to, with the aim of safeguarding national security, guard against people with ulterior motives and foreign powers that try to sow dissension, object to and refute ill-intentioned smearing, and say no to the resurgence of black violence,” he said.

READ MORE: Vigilance against 'soft resistance' warranted

Addressing the 2023 Fight Crime Conference at the Central Government Offices, Lee warned that violence seen during 2019 social unrest could return at any time and wreak havoc, though the National Security Law (NSL) has restored order in the city.

The CE emphasized the need for the HKSAR to complete its own national security legislation stipulated in Article 23 of the Basic Law by 2024

“While attending different functions and interacting with all the guests from around the world, I deeply felt that Hong Kong must be a stable environment in order to attract global investors," the CE said officiating at the conference, which saw nearly 500 participants exchanging views on topics relating to law and order and crime-fighting strategies.

This year’s conference carried a special meaning as it was the first one held after the promulgation and implementation of the NSL, he said, stressing that while pursuing high-quality development in Hong Kong, it is necessary to stay alert to threats and dangers in times of peace and not allow the resurgence of serious violence, according to the government.

He, in this regard, emphasized the need for the HKSAR to complete its own national security legislation stipulated in Article 23 of the Basic Law by 2024, and, together with the NSL, improve the legal regime to safeguard national security in the SAR.

The conference also covered the drug situation in the community and scams as well as internet deception, all of which are current topics of concern for members of the public, Lee added. 

Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki addressed the 2023 Fight Crime Conference at the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong, Nov 18, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR)

In his welcoming address, Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki, who is also the Chairperson of the Fight Crime Conference, said since its inception 50 years ago, the conference has been a defender and a facilitator of Hong Kong's law and order.

The conference comprised three plenary sessions – national security education in the community; drug problem; and deception and cybercrime, with Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, and Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee as moderators respectively. 

ALSO READ: National Security Law 'crucial' to restoring peace in Hong Kong

In his closing remarks, Tang said the sharing at the conference was very meaningful, enabling participants to have a deeper understanding of the relevant content. 

(From left) Commissioner of Correctional Services, Wong Kwok-hing; Under Secretary for Labor and Welfare, Ho Kai-ming; Acting Secretary for Education, Sze Chun-fai; Secretary for Security, Tang Ping-keung; Chief Secretary for Administration and the Chairperson of the FCC, Chan Kwok-ki; Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu; Secretary for Justice, Paul Lam; Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak; Commissioner of Police, Siu Chak-yee; Permanent Secretary for Security, Patrick Li, and Director of Home Affairs, Alice Cheung, take a group photo with members of the FCC and the District Fight Crime Committees on stage during the 2023 Fight Crime Conference at the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong, Nov 18, 2023.(PHOTO / HKSAR)

He said he would actively consider and follow up as appropriate the suggestions put forward in the meeting in order to take forward the key areas of work relating to national security, drug problems, scam prevention and crime fighting.

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak, Acting Secretary for Education Sze Chun-fai; Permanent Secretary for Security Patrick Li, Under Secretary for Labor and Welfare Ho Kai-ming, Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing, and Director of Home Affairs Alice Cheung also attended the program.