A call by Xia Baolong -- the nation’s top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macao affairs – for Hong Kong to adopt new mindsets in the face of new challenges and step up efforts to safeguard national security and achieve high-quality development has gone down well with political groups, as well as business and community leaders, in the special administrative region.

Hong Kong’s community responded by pledging to actively help the SAR government in strengthening national security education in the city.

In a video speech at a ceremony in Hong Kong on Monday to kick off celebrations marking National Security Education Day, Xia -- director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office – urged the HKSAR to firmly uphold the bottom line of national security, stay united, and adopt new thinking to tackle new challenges and develop the local economy.

The New People’s Party said it wholeheartedly agreed with Xia, saying the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, both of which have been successively implemented, complement each other and provide a high level of security for the SAR, enabling the city to strive for economic and social development free of worries.

The NPP said enacting the two national security laws marks a new beginning for Hong Kong, enabling it to embark on a journey of economic resurgence and development from a fresh starting point.

It said the city should double down on efforts to develop “new quality productive forces”, create a favorable business environment and maximize the advantages of “one country, two systems”.

The Chinese Manufacturers Association of Hong Kong, which represents the industrial sector, stressed the importance of capitalizing on the nation’s support and urged the city to accelerate the development of “new quality productive forces” by focusing on innovation and technology, industrial supply chains, professional services and green finance.

CMA Chairman Lo Kam-wing said Hong Kong’s nurturing new industries is in line with the trend, and the association will continue to help industrial enterprises seize the new opportunities by boosting technology commercialization, brand development and sustainable development.

Two secondary schools sponsored by the CMA have organized a series of events to mark National Security Education Day. The association hopes such activities will raise students’ awareness of national security and lift their sense of honor and confidence in the country’s development, thereby cultivating them to become patriots.

The Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers -- the city’s largest teachers’ union – said it’s imperative that national security education is steadfastly strengthened. It’s also important to set up a robust national security framework, and enhance the capacity to safeguard the nation’s security. In collaboration with the SAR government, the federation said it’ll diligently undertake the task of national security education.

With Xia’s guidance, the federation pledged to continue cooperating with the SAR government in improving the curriculum of national security lessons, organizing diversified events and training for students and teachers regarding national security education, and developing a strong sense of responsibility to safeguard national security among students and teachers.

Contact the writer at lindaxi@chinadailyhk.com