Ensuring High-quality Development with High-level Security - Speech by HKMAO Director Xia Baolong

2025-04-15 23:55

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Ensuring High-quality Development with High-level Security

Continuously Composing a New Chapter in the Practice of "One Country, Two Systems"

Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 National Security Education Day in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

(April 15, 2025)

Xia Baolong*

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr. John Lee,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Good morning! Today marks the 10th National Security Education Day in China. On April 15, 2014, President Xi Jinping creatively proposed a holistic approach to national security at the first meeting of the National Security Commission. In 2015, the National Security Law of the People's Republic of China was promulgated and implemented, legalizing and institutionalizing the holistic approach to national security, and April 15th was designated as the "National Security Education Day". On this day of great significance, I am delighted to attend the event in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) via video.

Over the past decade, as we comprehensively implemented the holistic approach to national security, China has achieved historic successes in national security work, firmly grasping the initiative in development and security, and continuing the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. This decade has also been the most intense period for Hong Kong in safeguarding national security. Hong Kong has gone through an extraordinary journey from chaos to governance and then from governance to greater prosperity. During the illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014, the "Mong Kok Riot" in 2016, and the violent turbulence over the amendment bill in 2019, calls for "Hong Kong independence" grew rampant, "black-clad violence" escalated, and widespread acts of destruction posed a serious threat to national security. Hong Kong was severely damaged, left unrecognizable and riddled with scars. The devastation left many people with lingering fear. At this critical moment, the Central Government took decisive action to turn the tide, uphold and improve the systems for implementing the policy of "One country, Two systems", enacting the Hong Kong National Security Law and implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". This marked a significant turning point in Hong Kong's situation from chaos to governance. The 2019 turbulence was essentially a Hong Kong version of the "color revolution" launched by anti-China agitators and external forces in the United States and other Western forces. The turbulence left a permanent scar in Hong Kong's history, a warning bell held aloft, constantly ringing above our heads. Forgetting history means betrayal. If we forget where and how we fell in the past, we will encounter greater troubles and stumble in the future. We must remember the painful lessons of the 2019 turbulence, remain vigilant, take the lessons as warning, and keep the alarm bell ringing.

History and reality tell us that external forces' attempts to destabilize Hong Kong and use it to contain China will not change and can never succeed. External forces have never stopped intervening in Hong Kong, and their shadow can be seen behind the chaos that has occurred in Hong Kong since its return to the motherland. Now, the U.S. is using every possible means to suppress Hong Kong. Recently, the U.S. fabricated the so-called "Hong Kong Policy Act Report 2025" and imposed sanctions on six officials from China's Central Government institutions in Hong Kong and the government of the Hong Kong SAR, once again exposing U.S.’s bullying and hegemonic true colors and its ugly face of hysteria born of desperation. More absurdly, the U.S. has imposed so-called "reciprocal tariffs" of up to 145 percent on Hong Kong, which has never had tariffs. As we all know, Hong Kong, as a free port, imposes "zero tariffs" on all goods, including U.S. goods. Over the past decade, the U.S. trade surplus with Hong Kong has reached 271.5 billion U.S. dollars. Despite Hong Kong being the largest source of the U.S. trade surplus, the United States still imposed high tariffs on it. This is extremely arrogant and shameless! And this makes it clearer to the world that the U.S. cannot tolerate Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and it is the biggest "sinister manipulator" undermining human rights, freedom, the rule of law, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. The U.S. isn't after our tariffs -- it is after our very survival. The Chinese people have come through hardships, and anyone who tries to bring us back to poverty and weakness is our enemy. Any attempt by external forces to destabilize Hong Kong and return it to past turmoil is nothing but a pipe dream. And any attempt by external forces to keep us from living a better life and return us to the days of destitution is nothing but a fantasy. It is also a pipe dream for external forces to try to delay or even interrupt the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and bring us back to the tragic situation of being trampled upon. Washington's repeated attempts to suppress Hong Kong will only accelerate the demise of its proxies in Hong Kong which will ultimately backfire on itself. Let those American peasants wail before the 5,000-year-old civilization of the Chinese nation!

History and reality tell us that the Chinese people will never accept bullying, and all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, cannot be intimidated or overwhelmed. Chinese people do not provoke others, but we will not flinch when provoked. Pressure, threats, and extortion are not the right way to deal with China. As a popular Chinese saying goes, fine wine for friends, shotguns for foes. We have never been afraid of anyone. Seventy-five years ago, when imperialist aggressors brought war to the doorstep of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese people knew that they had to use a language that the aggressors could understand to communicate with them. This meant fighting war with war, stopping violence with force, and winning peace and respect through victory. The Chinese have a proverb -- Strike a punch to avoid a hundred punches. Now, as the world's second-largest economy and largest industrial country, we are embarking on a new journey in building a great country and rejuvenating the nation. Whether it is a tariff war, trade war, or any other kind of war, we have nothing to fear. The sky will not fall. It is extremely naive to think that by flattering, bowing down to, or pleading with the U.S., we can achieve peace, respect, and development. We must abandon illusions. The so-called "sanctions" and "reciprocal tariffs" of the U.S. cannot shake the determination and will of the Central Government and the Hong Kong SAR government. The 1.4 billion Chinese people, with Hong Kong compatriots included, will not be intimidated. The so-called "sanctions" and "reciprocal tariffs" will only make us more united and determined to maintain national security and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Victory will belong to the great Chinese people!

History and reality tell us that Hong Kong compatriots have a long-standing tradition of patriotism and love for Hong Kong, and those who betray the motherland and Hong Kong will never have a good ending. The Hong Kong compatriots' tradition of loving their country and Hong Kong has a long history. In particular, since modern times, Hong Kong compatriots have been united in hearts and hands with the people of the mainland, with a deep and unwavering patriotic sentiment. In the early days of the People’s Republic, Mr. Chuang Shih-ping bravely raised the first Chinese national flag in Hong Kong despite pressure from the British Hong Kong authorities. During the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, Mr. Fok Ying-tung organized a fleet to break through the blockade of the West and transported a large number of urgently needed strategic materials to the motherland. After the reform and opening up, Hong Kong and Macao compatriots were the first to respond, enthusiastically going to the mainland to invest and start businesses, creating many "firsts" in the country, such as the first joint venture, the first joint venture expressway, and the first five-star joint venture hotel. Today, the majority of Hong Kong compatriots have further inherited and carried forward the spirit of loving their country and Hong Kong, especially in the face of containment, suppression, coercion, and inducement by external forces such as the U.S. They have demonstrated a firm and unrelenting commitment to the struggle. As a popular Chinese saying goes, true heroes emerge in turbulent times. In the face of major issues of right and wrong, standing firmly with the motherland and on the right side of history is the integrity and moral backbone that the Chinese people possess. Those who betray national interests and cheer for the enemy at critical moments will never be tolerated by Hong Kong compatriots or the people of the whole country, and they will surely meet a grim fate and bear the curse of history. We must be particularly clear-headed in the face of issues related to grand righteousness and integrity.

Currently, the practice of "One country, Two systems" has entered a new stage. The good situation in Hong Kong today has come at a great cost and should be treasured. We must consolidate and develop this good situation. However, the struggle is not yet over. Although the social situation in Hong Kong appears calm on the surface, there are still undercurrents, and the security situation remains very grave and complex. Those who are opposed to China and attempt to destabilize Hong Kong have not yet been eliminated. Some have fled abroad to make trouble, while others have whitewashed themselves and disguised as ordinary people, hiding and waiting for opportunities to stir up trouble in Hong Kong. Many people still have confused ideas, some sympathize with those who are opposed to China and attempt to destabilize Hong Kong , some justify them, and some admire, fear, worship, or fantasize about the U.S. Some people believe that as long as the economy develops, there will be no security issues. However, this is a typical case of burying one's head in the sand and deceiving oneself. In fact, countless examples demonstrate that wealth does not always bring security, prosperity or sustainability. Without security, how could Hong Kong have gone through the journey from chaos to governance? Without security, how could Hong Kong have gone through the journey from governance to greater prosperity? Without security, how could Hong Kong have a bright future? We must face the problems related to the development and security in Hong Kong, be vigilant and stay united. Every individual, group, enterprise and organization needs to work together with Hong Kong compatriots and all Chinese people to defend Hong Kong and the country, ensure high-quality development with high-level security, and promote the steady and sustained practice of "One country, Two systems".

We believe that the national security institutions of the Hong Kong SAR will resolutely shoulder the sacred mission of maintaining national security and further strengthen the solid barrier for national security. As the administrators of Hong Kong, the Chief Executive and the SAR government, who bear the primary responsibility for administrating Hong Kong, should fulfill their constitutional responsibility to maintain national security, effectively address contradictions and problems in development and reform, properly respond to various complex situations, resolve risks and hidden dangers in a timely manner, and hold the bottom line of stability. As a specialized agency responsible for maintaining national security, the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the SAR should further fulfill its responsibilities of leading, making decisions, coordinating, strengthening the analysis and judgment of the national security situation, daring to struggle, taking initiative, and forming a collaborative and efficient work pattern to maintain national security. The legislature and judiciary of the SAR should improve the system and mechanism for maintaining national security in the SAR, adjudicate strictly and impartially, defend fairness and justice, and effectively play their parts in maintaining national security. The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong SAR is a specialized agency established by the Central Government in the Hong Kong SAR to maintain national security. It should play a positive role in overseeing, guiding, coordinating with, and providing support to the SAR to maintain national security, perform its duties according to law, firmly support the Hong Kong SAR in enforcing laws and administering justice impartially, and resolutely prevent and resolve various risks that endanger national security, ensuring a new development paradigm with a new security paradigm. It is worth mentioning that many public officials in Hong Kong have been unreasonably sanctioned by the United States for their work in maintaining national security, but they are not afraid, are working steadfastly to fulfill their duties, and are willing to sacrifice their own interests for the benefit of the country. They take concrete actions to love and protect the country and Hong Kong, and I am proud of them.

We believe that all sectors of Hong Kong society can actively fulfill their obligation to maintain national security and jointly protect Hong Kong, this beautiful home. Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the paramount principle in the policy of "One country, Two systems". Everyone has a responsibility to maintain national security. Every resident of Hong Kong is a beneficiary and guardian of national security, and there are no "outsiders". Hong Kong's current status has been achieved through overcoming many difficulties and the hard work of generations of Hong Kong people. Everyone should carry forward the fine tradition of loving the country and Hong Kong, recognize the reactionary nature of individuals who are opposed to China and attempt to destabilize Hong Kong, resolutely fight against words and actions that undermine, slander, and disrupt Hong Kong, and fulfill their respective responsibilities and abilities to jointly build Hong Kong. Young people are not only the future of Hong Kong but also fresh blood for building the country. We hope that you will cultivate a strong sense of patriotism, consciously combine personal growth and success with the prosperity of Hong Kong and the future of the country, use concrete actions of patriotism and the love for Hong Kong to maintain national security, and showcase your youth.

We believe that the business community and entrepreneurs can make Hong Kong their home, build their businesses, and contribute to both Hong Kong and the country with more practical actions. In the magnificent development history of Hong Kong, many world-renowned enterprises and entrepreneurs have emerged, taking concrete actions to build Hong Kong and serve the country, writing a vivid picture of patriotism and love for Hong Kong, and becoming business legends. In the current situation where the United States is exerting extreme pressure on us, there is a greater need for entrepreneurs to build and take root in Hong Kong with a strong resolve. It is hoped that Hong Kong's business community and entrepreneurs will continue to play a leading role in driving economic development, carry forward the fine tradition of patriotism and love for Hong Kong, correctly understand the relationship between their own enterprises and the development of both Hong Kong and the nation, and always uphold righteousness and never forget national interests. We should be optimistic about Hong Kong, support Hong Kong, invest in Hong Kong, attract good resources to Hong Kong and retain them here. Together, we will inject more vitality into the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and play a better role in the great cause of building a great country and national rejuvenation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

The historical trend is unstoppable, and the tide of the times is surging forward. We firmly believe that no matter how the international landscape may change, with the strong backing of the great motherland, the relentless efforts of all Hong Kong people, and the safeguard of high-level security, Hong Kong is sure to ride the waves and forge ahead on the path from stability to prosperity. The cause of "One country, Two systems" will only grow more stable and achieve greater success.

Thank you.

*Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

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