Yesterday marked the 11th National Security Education Day. This year’s theme, “Proactively Align with the 15th Five-Year Plan, Follow a Holistic Approach to Development and Security”, captures more than a policy direction. It underscores a fundamental truth: Security and development are inseparable. Without security, development has no stable ground; without development, security lacks enduring support. Development cannot flourish without stability, and stability cannot be sustained without progress that benefits society.

In the lead-up, a range of activities were organized across Hong Kong, including a seminar on the National Security Education Day. In Kwai Tsing, for example, an award ceremony was held for speech and short-drama competitions that encouraged young people to participate, to reflect, and to lead.

These efforts matter because national security is not an abstract political concept. It is a lifeline tied to the well-being of every resident. National security education should begin at a young age, and the enthusiasm of students and communities is both a testament to the progress made so far and a source of hope for Hong Kong’s future.

Looking back on Hong Kong’s turbulent years, one lesson stands out: Young people were often the easiest targets for external forces seeking to manipulate and mobilize. That is why young people deserve stronger protection and clearer guidance. National security education should be systematically integrated into curricula at every level, and reinforced beyond the classroom through community outreach, responsible media engagement, and digital platforms that speak to the public in accessible, relevant ways.

Just as importantly, legal principles and concepts must be translated into everyday understanding.

Every resident is not merely a bystander, but a guardian — and a beneficiary — of national security. Hong Kong’s stability rests on national security, and its prosperity depends on unity

To this end, more effort should be made to promote national security education through multiple channels, including digital media, explaining complex legal concepts in clear and practical language, responding to public concerns, and countering misinformation. Seminars and workshops should also be organized in collaboration with schools and youth organizations, encouraging young people to become active communicators of national security awareness.

These efforts hopefully will help more residents, especially the younger generation, to recognize that national security is not a distant narrative. It is directly connected to their opportunities, rights, and daily lives. When safeguarding national security becomes a shared social commitment, Hong Kong can build a truly resilient “people’s line of defense”. And young people are at the heart of it.

This year also marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). At the outset, Hong Kong stands at a critical juncture where opportunities and challenges coexist. The nation’s development opens vast prospects for the special administrative region, while a complex external environment brings both known and unknown risks. If Hong Kong is to align itself with the nation’s strategic blueprint, while consolidating its status as an international financial, shipping, and trading center, it must first ensure a robust and unshakable security framework. Hong Kong is therefore preparing its first five-year plan to comprehensively complement the national 15th Five-Year Plan.

In this context, National Security Education Day carries even greater significance. It serves as a constant reminder for residents to remain vigilant in times of peace, and to guard against complacency even in periods of stability. It is also a call to action for society as a whole: To safeguard the hard-earned prosperity and the harmony the city enjoys today, and to ensure they endure for generations to come.

Every resident is not merely a bystander, but a guardian — and a beneficiary — of national security. Hong Kong’s stability rests on national security, and its prosperity depends on unity. I firmly believe that under the strong protection of the national security legal framework, and through sustained and innovative education efforts, public awareness will continue to deepen and the holistic approach to national security will take root across society.

In summary, with a collective effort, Hong Kong’s foundations will grow ever stronger. And the “Pearl of the Orient” will shine even brighter, contributing its unique strengths to the nation’s development and rejuvenation while benefiting from the process.

The author is a member of the Legislative Council and the UN Association of China.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.