Police Become Guardians Of Security, Stability: CE

Chief Executive John Lee said on Saturday that the police force is helping to ensure the long-term stability of the One Country, Two Systems principle by safeguarding national security and keeping Hong Kong stable.

Speaking at a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Police College, The longtime former officer said he was "excited and inspired" to return, as the city's leader, to a place that he said is full of memories.

The CE cited President Xi Jinping's address on July 1, when the president said Hong Kong must not be destabilised and cannot afford chaos.

With the implementation of the National Security Law, Lee said the territory is now safe and generally stable.

"The Hong Kong police have developed from officers of security in the city, to enforcers of the law safeguarding national security and Hong Kong's stability...[this] helps promote the city's long-term development, and ensures the steadfast and successful implementation of One Country, Two Systems," he said.

Lee noted that the passing-out parade had adopted the Chinese-style goose step for the first time.

"This time, we've comprehensively adopted the Chinese-style marching, which fully reflects the police's national identity and sense of belonging to the country, and also represents a solemn commitment to the trust bestowed by the nation, and loyalty to the country," he said.

A total of 31 probationary inspectors and 83 recruit constables graduated on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, police commissioner Raymond Siu said recruitment has been challenging in the past few years, citing the retirement of officers as a contributing factor.

But the police chief noted the number of applications received this year has risen from previous years.

Siu also said he believed the force's relationship with the public has improved, and it has received increasing support from all of society, including from young people.

"I have been spending a lot of time to speak to a lot of youths, parents, teachers, schools, and also, some social workers. As a matter of fact, from what I've gathered, the situation, the relationship between us and the general community, keeps on improving," he said.

"Of course, we would continue to make any endeavours, in order to further improve our relationship with the general community."