Senior officials from the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Wednesday called for coordinated development and security, noting that high-level security is essential to safeguard the city’s prosperity and to advance the “one country, two systems” principle under the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

The remarks were made at the opening ceremony marking the 11th National Security Education Day in the city. This year’s theme was “Proactively Align with the 15th Five-Year Plan — Follow a Holistic Approach to Development and Security”.

Xia Baolong, 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, delivered a keynote address via video link.

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Citing the stark contrast between the social unrest of 2019, and last year’s successes in trade and initial public offerings, Xia said these experiences fully demonstrate that development and security are inseparable.

“Security enables development. Without security, nothing else is possible. Only by holding this bottom line can we secure development and win the future,” Xia said.

He said that under the 15th Five-Year Plan, the central government is placing greater emphasis on balancing development and security, requiring efficient governance and a new security framework to promote a virtuous cycle of high-quality growth and security.

Xia called for collective efforts to “safeguard Hong Kong’s journey from stability to prosperity” with high-level security, and to open a new chapter for “one country, two systems” in the SAR.

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He also urged all sectors of society to remain vigilant against risks to national security and local stability, including those from geopolitics. Security cannot be achieved without continuous effort to protect it, Xia said.

He added he hopes the SAR, under an executive-led system and with collective forces of the society, will continue to leverage its strengths to serve national needs and proactively align its upcoming five-year plan with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

Zhou Ji, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, said his office will firmly support Hong Kong’s national security duties.

He commended the SAR authorities for their achievements in enhancing awareness of national security across society in recent years. He also said that ever since the HKSAR National Security Law took effect in 2020, the city has ranked high in various international indexes and earned global recognition for its stable business environment.

“Investors worldwide have cast a vote of confidence in Hong Kong with real money,” he said.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu pledged to follow the guidance of a central government white paper on safeguarding national security.

The white paper, issued by the State Council Information Office on Feb 10 and titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China’s National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems”, details efforts to protect national security in Hong Kong, and affirms the central government’s overarching responsibility for security matters concerning the city.

Lee also said the SAR aims to complete the drafting of its first five-year plan this year, which will serve as a blueprint to guide socioeconomic development and support integration with national strategies.

READ MORE: Cross: National security remains a work in progress

Other speakers at the ceremony included Dong Jingwei, head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Cui Jianchun, head of the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR; and Lai Ruxin, political commissar of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison.

At a similar ceremony in Macao, the city’s chief executive, Sam Hou-fai, said that national security education for all is a systematic and long-term effort. He highlighted innovative approaches — such as immersive experiences, interactive participation, and content — that resonate with the public, to make national security education in Macao more substantive and far-reaching.

Reflecting on ongoing international instability, Sam expressed his appreciation for the saying “We do not live in a peaceful world, only in a peaceful country.” He said that national security is closely linked to the fate of every individual, and that only with robust safeguards can Macao ensure the successful implementation of “one country, two systems”, sustained economic and social prosperity, and residents’ well-being.

Zheng Xincong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao, echoed the need to “remain vigilant even in times of stability”. He called on Macao to guarantee both development and security during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and to seize historic opportunities arising from national development through reform and innovation.

Earlier in the day, Hong Kong’s Security Bureau and disciplined services held a joint flag-raising ceremony at the Hong Kong Police College in Wong Chuk Hang, launching a range of national security-themed activities across the city, including open houses, school workshops, and a large-scale drone performance.

Macao also held events, such as exhibitions, seminars, and film showcases, to mark the occasion. Starting Wednesday, all government department websites introduced a new section titled “Every Day Is April 15”, promoting national security awareness through themed comics and short videos.

Contact the writer at gangwen@chinadailyhk.com