A billboard promoting National Security Education Day is seen outside a pier in Central, Hong Kong, on April 3, 2023 as the city prepares to mark the day on April 15. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

The State Council announced on Tuesday that Dong Jingwei had been appointed as director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee Ka-chiu welcomed the State Council’s appointment

Lee said that the SAR government will continue to maintain close communication and cooperation with the office, do its utmost to implement the National Security Law for Hong Kong (NSL), and fulfill the responsibilities and obligations of the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security.

In accordance with the NSL, the central government has established the national security office, which is tasked with safeguarding national security, assessing related developments, making proposals concerning strategies and policies, and handling relevant cases.

READ MORE: CE: HK must not let its guard down on national security risks

The office was established in July, 2020, with Zheng Yanxiong as the first director. In January, Zheng was appointed as the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR.