I'll Continue With Security Education In My Term: CE

Chief Executive Carrie Lam says she will continue to work on national security education in the remainder of her term, as she urged the incoming government to consolidate people's understanding of the topic.

Speaking at her daily Covid briefing, she said the administration had moved promotional campaigns to mark Friday's National Security Education Day online due to the pandemic.

"Due to the Covid situation, unlike the first education day last year, we cannot hold a series of physical activities... However, we attach equal importance to the second National Security Education Day in Hong Kong," she said.

Lam said authorities had produced a five-minute special programme and a picture book for children to introduce the concepts of national security.

She reiterated a pledge made last year to take forward the work of safeguarding national security in Hong Kong. She added that her administration had done a lot in this area, citing dedicated legislation and a revamped election system.

She said it was hard to embed complete understanding of the importance of national security in only one to two years, however, and urged the next government to consolidate the public's understanding.

The Civil Service minister, Patrick Nip, meanwhile, said new public officers will be tested on their understanding of the National Security Law (NSL) during their recruitment.

Separately, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng refuted allegations that charges relating to offences endangering national security are "vague".

She said on her blog that the NSL clearly specifies the elements of each offence, including specific actions and intent.