Hong Kong must remain vigilant against external interference and never forget the hard-learned lessons from previous social unrest, as national security risks never subside, warned officials from the central government and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Tuesday.

Their remarks were made at the opening ceremony of the 10th National Security Education Day, which also marked the fifth anniversary of implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, as well as the first anniversary of the implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

In a video address, Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the past decade has been the most intense period for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, marked by the illegal “Occupy Central” movement in 2014, the Mong Kok riot in 2016, and the violent turbulence in 2019.

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The comprehensive implementation of the national security laws in recent years has yielded significant achievements, fostering rapid economic growth and enduring social stability, said Xia, who is also the director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Noting that Hong Kong has undergone a remarkable transformation — from chaos to governance and from governance to prosperity — Xia also warned that the social unrest in 2019, which he described as “a Hong Kong version of a color revolution”, remains an indelible scar.

“We must remember the painful lessons of the 2019 turbulence, remain vigilant, take the lessons as a warning, and keep the alarm bell ringing,” he said.

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Xia called for confronting the challenges facing Hong Kong’s development head-on, urging all organizations to join hands in safeguarding national security and ensuring the steady, long-term implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”.

The central government official also expressed his confidence in the ability of Hong Kong’s business community to contribute to both the city’s development and national progress. Xia stressed the need for entrepreneurs to demonstrate resilience — particularly under what he described as “extreme suppression by the United States” — while building and rooting themselves in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, echoing Xia’s sentiments, emphasized the need for Hong Kong to remain highly vigilant in safeguarding national security. He warned that the aftershocks of the 2019 social unrest have yet to fully dissipate, and anti-China agitators continue to engage in forms of “soft resistance”.

Lee emphasized that Hong Kong must not “forget the pain once the wound has healed” and must remain alert for both local and overseas forces that seek to destabilize the city.

Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, also said that the greatest risk facing Hong Kong would be to forget the hard lessons learned from the 2019 violent turbulence, and stressed that national security is a continuous duty for all.

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In addition, Dong Jingwei, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, highlighted Hong Kong’s shift from order to prosperity, but cautioned of the need to balance security with economic growth.

Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, criticized US actions for causing global instability, but expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s role under “one country, two systems” to bridge the nation and the rest of the world.

Apart from the opening ceremony and a seminar on Tuesday morning, this year’s National Security Education Day featured various activities, including disciplined services’ open days, national security-themed forums, comic drawing and singing contests, as well as carnivals inviting family participation.

Some participants at a national security-themed carnival held in Sheung Shui, New Territories, on Tuesday afternoon said the activity had boosted children’s awareness in national security.

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Five-year-old Gee Moana, a kindergartner, received a third-place award in the coloring contest. Her mother said that taking part in the contest had provided her with an opportunity to bond with her daughter and a chance for her daughter to learn more about national security, the Basic Law and the Constitution.

“These activities help her understand how to protect her personal safety as she grows up,” Moana’s mother said.

The mother of Reina Tang, another 5-year-old merit-award winner, said the event had played a role in strengthening children’s sense of national consciousness, adding that “kindergartens now promote national security education, so joining this carnival aligns with the trend”.

Contact the writers at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com