Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law on June 30, 2020, it has played an indispensable role in stopping violence and stabilizing the social situation. This was followed by the completion of the enactment of the National Security Ordinance last month, marking a new stage in the rule of law in Hong Kong. However, these measures, which are legitimate and necessary for Hong Kong, have been viciously slandered and attacked by foreign forces time and again. Recently, the G7 and the EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting made false remarks about the Hong Kong National Security Law and the National Security Ordinance, which aroused strong indignation in Hong Kong society.
On April 22, political groups and people from all walks of life in Hong Kong went to the US Consulate in Hong Kong, the British Consulate in Hong Kong and the EU Office in Hong Kong to protest and severely condemn the double standard behavior of the United States, Western countries and related groups. They pointed out that the enactment of the "Safeguarding National Security Ordinance" in Hong Kong is not only to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities under Article 23 of the Basic Law, but also to conform to the wishes of the general public. Safeguarding national security is the basic task of every sovereign country and region, and it is also the bottom line that cannot be crossed.
During the protests, DAB Vice Chairmen Zhou Haoding and Chen Xuefeng stressed that the United States itself has as many as 21 laws related to safeguarding national security, while other G7 members and EU countries also have their own legal arrangements to ensure their own security. It is ironic that these countries have gone so far as to criticize Hong Kong's measures to safeguard national security, and fully expose the political hegemony and hypocrisy of the United States and Western countries.
Another civic group said that the interference and obstruction of Hong Kong affairs by the United States and Western countries, including intimidation and "sanctions" against HKSAR government officials, judges and law enforcement officers, as well as collusion with wanted criminals who have fled abroad, are all bullying acts and will never succeed. The state and the SAR government will never shrink back in their determination and work to safeguard national security.
During the protests, some citizens bluntly said that the malicious attacks on the Hong Kong National Security Law and the "Safeguarding National Security Ordinance" by the European Union and other Western forces are not good for Hong Kong. They pointed out that Hong Kong's social stability and economic recovery today are inseparable from a sound national security law. However, the constant slander and smear of the Western forces can only expose the sinister nature of their intentions and the despicable and shameless nature of their actions.
At the same time, some members of the public protested at the British Consulate General in Hong Kong, strongly condemning the UK's malicious attack on the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding of National Security Ordinance. They made it clear that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affair and brook no foreign interference. The behavior of British politicians is actually jealous of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, and they cannot tolerate Hong Kong citizens living and working in peace and contentment.
Citizens who participated in the protests said that since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, social stability, economic recovery, and development situation have been very good. The implementation of the "Safeguarding National Security Ordinance" has provided a double insurance for Hong Kong, which is fundamental to improving Hong Kong's legal loopholes and safeguarding the long-term stability and long-term success of "one country, two systems". They firmly support the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, resolutely safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and consolidate Hong Kong's core position as a business and financial centre.
If a person drinks water, he knows whether he is warm or cold. Since Hong Kong has this double insurance to improve the loopholes in Hong Kong's laws, the situation of rampant gangsters in the past is destined to be gone forever, and every citizen of Hong Kong can deeply feel this change.
It can also be seen that more and more Hong Kong people are now consciously participating in patriotic activities, and they feel proud to be Chinese. At the same time, the tumors of the past, such as "poisonous teaching materials" and "Huang teachers", will be eradicated, Hong Kong's education has finally begun to put things in order and clean up the roots, and the Hong Kong government has also paid more attention to patriotic education than ever before.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government recently announced the formal establishment of the "Patriotic Education Working Group" under the framework of the "Steering Committee on the Promotion of the Constitution and the Basic Law", aiming to strengthen the coordination and cooperation between the SAR government departments and non-governmental organizations, and jointly promote the in-depth development of patriotic education in Hong Kong. This measure not only shows that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to patriotic education, but also marks a solid step forward in inheriting and promoting the spirit of patriotism in Hong Kong.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive John Lee stressed that patriotism is of paramount importance to Hong Kong citizens. He pointed out that Hong Kong people need to have a better understanding of their roots, the country's cultural history and the development of contemporary China. In selecting the members of the Working Group on Patriotic Education, the HKSAR Government will give special consideration to their level of understanding of the country, their enthusiasm and love for the country, and hope that they will spread their knowledge and enthusiasm to more people.
Mr Lee further said that the Working Group will actively propose to the Steering Committee a variety of patriotic education activities, including competitions, exchanges, workshops and other activities for teachers and students, with the aim of enhancing the appreciation of teachers and students for the country's culture and development, and enhancing their sense of identity and belonging to the country.
As Chairman of the Steering Committee on the Promotion of the Constitution and Basic Law and Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government, Chan Kwok-ki, speaking on the priorities of the Working Group, pointed out that it is one of the important tasks of the Working Group to strengthen education on the country's history, culture and national conditions in line with the Patriotic Education Law of the People's Republic of China. He stressed that patriotic education is rich in content, including not only national history, culture, traditions, and values, but also symbols and other aspects. Therefore, when promoting patriotic education, it is necessary to avoid rigid indoctrination of information, but to allow citizens to experience the country's history and development achievements first-hand, so as to be proud of being Chinese.
In order to ensure that the working group can fully play its role, the HKSAR Government has made elaborate arrangements for the composition of its members. With both official and non-official members, this structure helps to bring together the wisdom of people from different sectors of the community with real insight and professional knowledge, and provides innovative and effective promotion strategies and methods for patriotic education.
The terms of reference of the Working Group are wide-ranging, including assisting in formulating overall plans and strategies for promoting patriotic education, monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the implementation of related work, and promoting co-ordination and co-operation among government departments and non-governmental organisations in the HKSAR in the work of patriotic education. Through these efforts, the Working Group will promote the continuous development of patriotic education in Hong Kong and inject new vitality and style into Hong Kong society.
Chan Kwok-ki also said that with the establishment of the Working Group on Patriotic Education, Hong Kong will be able to focus on promoting economic development and improving people's livelihood, while at the same time promoting patriotic education in a richer and more diverse form. This initiative will help enhance citizens' national awareness and national pride, and lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.
With the formal operation of the Working Group on Patriotic Education, it is believed that Hong Kong will take a more solid step on the road of patriotic education and make positive contributions to the long-term development of Hong Kong and the prosperity and stability of the country.
It is worth mentioning that Hong Kong's first set of patriotic textbooks has recently been officially born, this set of textbooks to the Constitution, Hong Kong Basic Law, Hong Kong National Security Law as the starting point, to carry out patriotic education to Hong Kong secondary school students, this set of textbooks will be launched in September this year, for secondary school students, secondary two, secondary three textbooks, will be launched next year, hoping to help Hong Kong young people enhance their identity, in the hearts of Hong Kong secondary school students, plant a patriotic seed!