Political heavyweights caution that national security threats exist, and urge vigilance.
Various promotional activities, mostly conducted via online platforms, will be held to mark the National Security Education Day on Friday, which will be Hong Kong's second education day since the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong.
They include special TV programs, exhibitions, online quiz competitions and reading activities focusing on outer space security.
Themed "Uphold National Security, Safeguard Our Home", the activities aim to raise Hong Kong residents' awareness of national security and enhance the city's capacity to fend off related risks.
In view of the COVID-19 epidemic situation, national security publicity and promotional activities will be conducted mainly through online platforms on Friday, read a statement issued by Hong Kong's committee for safeguarding national security.
A 5-minute special program will be aired via the TV channels of Radio Television Hong Kong on Friday. A multilingual educational picture book about outer space security will also be available for online perusal and downloading.
Large-scale advertisements, banners and buntings will be placed in various districts to promote this year's National Security Education Day. Such billboards have been seen at the Central Police Station and Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui.
RTHK will also play a short film about cybersecurity on Friday night. It has launched a series of video programs to introduce various national security dimensions since the end of last year, and another program this month to promote foreign affairs knowledge in a Q&A format.
From May to June, the Education Bureau and Security Bureau will co-launch a series of activities in schools, including slogan creation, poster design and an online quiz. The Education Bureau has also prepared national security-related exhibition panel quiz games for schools to promote educational activities.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung encouraged schools to actively conduct such activities to foster the national security awareness of teachers and students. He called on more students to participate in it to broaden their understanding.
Future threats
In recent days, political heavyweights cautioned that national security threats still exist and the city should take precautions to guard against such hazards.
After a Thursday meeting to garner support for the upcoming chief executive election, former chief secretary John Lee Ka-chiu said if elected, one of his priorities will be enacting legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law, which requires Hong Kong to enact laws on its own to prohibit acts that endanger national security.
The three administrative directions Lee proposed include building a solid environment for social development. Earlier on Tuesday, he said that Hong Kong needs a stable and safe environment, and for the city to prosper, it has to be fully prepared to come under attack.
He urged the city to strengthen preparations in national security protection, risk management, contingency plans, and protection of the financial system, a pillar industry of the city's development.
In an earlier interview with China Daily, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said national security threats in Hong Kong were still grave and the city should remain on high alert to address lurking and emerging threats.
Noting that cybersecurity threats have become a bigger menace, Tang revealed that the launch of public consultations for proposed cybersecurity legislation is being prepared for this year.
By March 31, police had arrested 175 people in connection with national security offenses. A total of 112 suspects were prosecuted on charges including secession, inciting subversion, subversion, organization and perpetration of terrorist activities, or collusion with external forces to endanger national security.