(Year-end Feature·Hong Kong) Hong Kong's National Security Law Escorts the Special Zone from Chaos to Governance

　　China News Agency, Hong Kong, December 29th

　　China News Agency reporter Zeng Ping

　　2021 is the second year of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. This law, like the "Dinghai Shenzhen", ensures that the situation in the SAR will continue to improve.

Under its escort, Hong Kong's development from chaos to governance has been continuously consolidated.

　　Active actions of the SAR government

　　After the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the SAR government has taken a series of measures to deepen its implementation in accordance with the relevant requirements of the law.

　　On May 21 this year, the "Public Service (Election and Appointment) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2021" was gazetted. Public officials including district councilors must swear to uphold the Basic Law of Hong Kong and be loyal to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Only the requester can hold a public office.

　　On November 5, the "Film Censorship (Amendment) Ordinance 2021" was gazetted, requiring censors to consider whether film screenings would endanger national security, and improved the regulatory system of film censorship in Hong Kong.

　　On November 21, the Director of the Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Special Administrative Region Government, Luo Zhiguang, said that he was studying amendments to require members of the Social Workers Registration Board to swear an oath in accordance with the law, and suggested that crimes against national security should be included in Schedule 2 of the Social Workers Registration Ordinance to ensure Related offenders cannot serve as registered social workers.

　　In addition, the SAR government will add Hong Kong’s national security law to the Hong Kong Basic Law test for civil servants’ entry in the middle of next year, and the test of newly recruited teachers in the future will not rule out adopting the same approach.

　　Liu Zhaojia, vice chairman of the National Society for Hong Kong and Macau Studies and Emeritus Chair Professor of Sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told reporters from China News Agency that the above-mentioned measures will enhance the awareness and attention of all parties to national security.

　　Case sentence shows deterrent effect

　　After public interrogation, many suspected of committing crimes endangering national security were sentenced.

　　On July 30, Tang Yingjie, the first accused of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law, was sentenced to 9 years for "inciting others to split the country" and "terrorist activities."

　　On November 11, Ma Junwen, who published a political declaration involving "Hong Kong independence" in a public place during the interview, was sentenced to 5 years and 9 months in prison for "inciting others to split the country."

　　On November 23, Zhong Hanlin was sentenced to 3 years and 7 months in prison for "secession of the country" and "money laundering".

　　Earlier on February 28, the Hong Kong police charged 47 people including Dai Yaoting and Huang Zhifeng for "conspiracy to subvert state power". They were involved in organizing, planning, and participating in the so-called "35+ primaries" operation and "soliciting speculation in Hong Kong." plan.

The trial of the case has not yet been completed.

　　In addition, groups that arbitrarily touched the "red line" of Guo'an in the past, including the "Stakes" and "People's Front", have been disbanded.

　　Liu Zhaojia believes that the SAR government's prosecution in response to the Hong Kong National Security Law will arouse the perception that the law has been fully implemented, indicating that this law is a "toothed tiger" and the court's sentence has a deterrent effect.

　　The campus continues to clean up its roots

　　In Liu Zhaojia's eyes, Hong Kong's implementation of national security and national conditions education in the long run still needs to be intensively cultivated in the field of education.

　　In the new school year starting in September this year, the Hong Kong senior high school compulsory subject of General Studies was replaced by the subject of Civic and Social Development.

Public opinion believes that the new subject will help students understand the country and its close relationship with Hong Kong, and then enhance their national identity through a better understanding of the national conditions.

　　In the past, pan-politicized university campuses have successively introduced measures to promote national security education in the new school year.

Many universities stated that they will let young students learn about national security issues through compulsory courses, seminars, and lectures.

　　It is worth mentioning that many universities have taken the initiative this year to "cut off seats" with students who have often made extreme remarks in the past.

Liu Zhaojia said that this is mainly the effect of Hong Kong’s National Security Law, and university management is now bravely taking measures to avoid affecting the university.

　　With the "National Flag and National Emblem (Amendment) Ordinance" gazetted on October 8th, Hong Kong's administrative, legislative and judiciary websites have added a national emblem pattern. The SAR government will raise the national flag daily and hold national flag-raising ceremonies every week, etc. Provide up-to-date guidance on matters.

　　All in all, with the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the improvement of the electoral system, the foundation for the long-term stability of the SAR has become stronger.

(Finish)