By Liang Yan
At a seminar in Hong Kong on July 14 focusing on the role of national security in supporting high-quality development organized by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, speakers stressed a point that deserves broad public attention: safeguarding national security is not a one-off task but a continuous responsibility.
In his opening remarks, Deng Zhonghua, president of the association, said HK has become a genuine "safe harbor," with security now serving as one of the city's greatest competitive advantages. Wang Zhenmin, professor at Tsinghua University Law School, echoed this message, noting that national security legislation is an international norm and that such laws are never truly "finished." Around the world, governments continue to review, update and strengthen their legal frameworks in response to evolving security risks. HK is no exception.
The city's own experience has demonstrated why this matters. The 2014 illegal movement and the 2019 social unrest showed that when national security and public order are threatened, the consequences are felt not only at the institutional level but also in the daily lives of ordinary residents. Preserving long-term prosperity and stability therefore requires not only sound laws but also constant vigilance and preparedness.
Deng noted that the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee in 2019 called for establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Over the past six years, the implementation of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in HK has marked a significant milestone in strengthening the city's national security framework. Looking ahead, he called on all sectors of society to seize the opportunities presented by the country's 15th Five-Year Plan and work together to advance high-quality development under the protection of a high level of security.
Wang, meanwhile, illustrated how safeguarding national security is a common practice worldwide. In the US, national security has been regarded as a constitutional cornerstone since the country's founding in 1789. The US Constitution explicitly defines treason, and over more than two centuries, successive administrations and legislatures have continuously expanded and refined national security legislation, creating an extensive body of related laws.
The UK has followed a similar trajectory. Legislative efforts have accelerated in recent years, with the Investigatory Powers Act enacted in 2016, the National Security Act introduced in 2023, and the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act passed in 2025. Other bills concerning crime, public order and national security remain under consideration.
Singapore has likewise continued strengthening its national security legislation in recent years, building upon legal foundations inherited from the colonial era and adapting them to meet emerging security challenges.
Taken together, these examples reveal an important reality: safeguarding national security is an evolving process rather than a completed project. Whether in the US, the UK or Singapore, legal frameworks have been continuously updated to address changing threats and circumstances. HK should be viewed through the same lens. The enactment of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in HK represents important progress, but legal refinement must continue as new risks emerge.
Another notable characteristic of HK's national security framework is its fundamentally defensive nature. Compared with many other jurisdictions, HK has relatively few national security laws, and they are primarily intended to safeguard social stability against external interference and activities that threaten national security. Law enforcement authorities invoke these laws only when such threats arise.
Singapore provides a useful point of comparison. Under its national security framework, authorities may detain individuals suspected of national security offences for up to two years without prior judicial proceedings, with detention subject to repeated extensions. By contrast, HK's legal framework seeks to strike a balance between safeguarding national security and protecting individual rights and freedoms.
HK's stability also stands out against an increasingly turbulent international backdrop. As Wang pointed out, dozens of armed conflicts are currently taking place around the world, affecting nearly 60 countries. Geopolitical tensions continue to intensify, major-power rivalry is growing, and the international landscape is undergoing profound change. Against this backdrop, HK's continued stability, supported by the central government, remains a valuable and hard-won advantage.
Recent media reports alleging that certain HK bookstores stock publications promoting "HK independence," attacking the nation, the Communist Party of China and the National Security Law, or misrepresenting the city's constitutional order, have also reignited public discussion. Some political and legal figures have argued that such materials may constitute a form of "soft resistance" and could potentially involve national security concerns.
Although HK has entered a new stage of development characterized by stability and renewed growth, potential risks have not disappeared. "Soft resistance" and other destabilizing elements remain concerns that warrant continued vigilance. Supporting the HKSAR government's ongoing efforts to improve the national security framework is therefore essential. Only by remaining alert in times of peace can HK continue to safeguard its stability, prosperity and long-term development. Under the principle of ensuring high-quality development through high-level security, every member of society has a role to play in preserving the city's security and contributing to the nation's rejuvenation.
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