Hong Kong Special Administrative Region officials on Thursday called on the city’s some-3,000 district tutors to further promote national security education in the community and enhance the public’s awareness of safeguarding national security.

To mark the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong (NSL), the SAR government held a seminar on Thursday to help the city’s national security education district tutors — who are appointed by the authorities to enhance social awareness and participation — better elevate the community’s vigilance against threats under a changing landscape.

Addressing over 700 tutors, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said that national security is closely related to everyone, and should be safeguarded by both the SAR government and various sectors.

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She said she hoped that tutors can obtain a better understanding of their mission through the seminar, and disseminate relevant messages in the community to cultivate people’s sense of national security education, as well as their love for Hong Kong and the country.

Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan delivered a keynote speech under the theme of “Hong Kong National Security Law builds forts for national security and the safety of Hong Kong”, emphasizing the national security risks faced by the SAR and the importance of enhancing national security education.

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 SAR, actual risks of national security for both the country and the SAR are still exist, Cheung stressed.

Therefore, Cheung urged the tutors to continuously assess national security risks and enhance education.

In a separate speech, Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip explained to the participants the government’s strategies to deal with national security risks, noting that the authorities will step up intelligence gathering, law enforcement, and optimize legal tools, as well as enhancing related publicity and education.

He encouraged district tutors to learn more about the Constitution, the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong on safeguarding national security.

It is important to take the initiative to integrate into the country to recognize the deep cultural ties between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland, Cheung noted.

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The government launched the National Security Education District Tutor Training Scheme in November last year. As of early April, over 3,000 district tutors across the city’s 18 districts have completed the training and disseminated messages on national security to over 120,000 residents.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com