Major fields of national security matter to Hong Kong Part 2
National security, in addition to conventional territorial, political and economic security, includes emerging fields like science and technology security, ecological security and biological security. National security matters to our everyday lives, and we all should do our part in safeguarding national security.
Science and technology security and cyber security
In our daily lives, we use various communication software and new technology products and devices. In modern times, if a country can grasp and control core technologies, it will have an advantage in vying for competition dominance. Therefore, all countries have begun to pay growing attention to science and technology security and cyber security. They not only emphasize the training and cultivation of talents and the application of advanced equipment and scientific findings, but also strive to guarantee the security of cyber infrastructure and information. In Hong Kong, the Police Force organizes inter-departmental cyber anti-terror exercises each year and, by means of deploying “cyber range” on advanced computer systems, provides training for important facilities and personnel.
In the emerging fields of national security, Hong Kong can make its contributions
Hong Kong always has advantages in the research and development of science and technology. The National 14th Five-Year Plan also supports Hong Kong to build itself into an international InnoTech center. The outstanding research findings from Hong Kong have been used and applied in the exploration in and protection of national security in new emerging fields like outer space, deep sea, polar and biological security. These are new fields for global competition and international governance. For example, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in cooperation with the China Academy of Space Technology, took part in the research and development of several advanced equipment for the country’s space missions, such as the “Mars camera”, which was able to endure huge impact shock and was able to produce super wide-angle images and videos.
Ecological and resources security: working hard to reduce emissions
National security is not an abstract concept.
In recent years, the country has repeatedly stressed the protection of lush mountains and lucid waters, and has given priority to ecological and resources security. It has become the basic national policy to ensure the ecological environment is in a state free from damage or threats or with less damage, and to ensure efficient use of resources like water, energy and land, and to embark on the road of green development.
In recent years, the Hong Kong Government also echoed actively to the carbon reduction policies and strategies of the Central Government, by taking the initiatives like the Roadmap on Popularization of Electric Vehicles and the Climate Action Plan updated in 2021, to further reduce carbon emissions. The Hong Kong Government also announced the Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to protect local natural resources.
Nuclear security is critical to the safety of people
Hong Kong does not have any nuclear facilities, but the Security Bureau has always kept close communication with the Guangdong provincial government in order to be updated with stability and safety records of the Daya Bay nuclear power plant, which is located close to Hong Kong, and to make emergency and contingency preparations to safeguard the life and safety of people.
Security of overseas interests
The security of overseas interests refers to a state in which the interests of overseas Chinese nationals, institutions and enterprises are free from any threats or risks. You may remember, the ‘Diamond Princess’ cruise ship was stranded in Japan in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. With support and assistance from the Central Government, the Immigration Department and the Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo set up by the Special Administrative Government, provided quarantine and homebound arrangements for all Hong Kong residents stranded aboard the cruise ship. By end of 2019, the SAR government had set-up 15 economic and trade offices overseas and had also worked out emergency and contingency plans. At the same time, all Chinese citizens, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents, are entitled to consular protection services by the Chinese government. All Hong Kong residents may seek consular assistance whenever they have difficulties while overseas.
Major fields of national security matter to Hong Kong Part 2 National security, in addition to conventional territorial, political and economic security, includes emerging fields like science and technology security, ecological security and biological security. National security matters to our everyday lives, and we all should do our part in safeguarding national security. Science and technology security and cyber security In our daily lives, we use various communication software and new technology products and devices. In modern times, if a country can grasp and control core technologies, it will have an advantage in vying for competition dominance. Therefore, all countries have begun to pay growing attention to science and technology security and cyber security. They not only emphasize the training and cultivation of talents and the application of advanced equipment and scientific findings, but also strive to guarantee the security of cyber infrastructure and information. In Hong Kong, the Police Force organizes inter-departmental cyber anti-terror exercises each year and, by means of deploying “cyber range” on advanced computer systems, provides training for important facilities and personnel. In the emerging fields of national security, Hong Kong can make its contributions Hong Kong always has advantages in the research and development of science and technology. The National 14th Five-Year Plan also supports Hong Kong to build itself into an international InnoTech center. The outstanding research findings from Hong Kong have been used and applied in the exploration in and protection of national security in new emerging fields like outer space, deep sea, polar and biological security. These are new fields for global competition and international governance. For example, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in cooperation with the China Academy of Space Technology, took part in the research and development of several advanced equipment for the country’s space missions, such as the “Mars camera”, which was able to endure huge impact shock and was able to produce super wide-angle images and videos. Ecological and resources security: working hard to reduce emissions National security is not an abstract concept. In recent years, the country has repeatedly stressed the protection of lush mountains and lucid waters, and has given priority to ecological and resources security. It has become the basic national policy to ensure the ecological environment is in a state free from damage or threats or with less damage, and to ensure efficient use of resources like water, energy and land, and to embark on the road of green development. In recent years, the Hong Kong Government also echoed actively to the carbon reduction policies and strategies of the Central Government, by taking the initiatives like the Roadmap on Popularization of Electric Vehicles and the Climate Action Plan updated in 2021, to further reduce carbon emissions. The Hong Kong Government also announced the Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to protect local natural resources. Nuclear security is critical to the safety of people Hong Kong does not have any nuclear facilities, but the Security Bureau has always kept close communication with the Guangdong provincial government in order to be updated with stability and safety records of the Daya Bay nuclear power plant, which is located close to Hong Kong, and to make emergency and contingency preparations to safeguard the life and safety of people. Security of overseas interests The security of overseas interests refers to a state in which the interests of overseas Chinese nationals, institutions and enterprises are free from any threats or risks. You may remember, the ‘Diamond Princess’ cruise ship was stranded in Japan in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. With support and assistance from the Central Government, the Immigration Department and the Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo set up by the Special Administrative Government, provided quarantine and homebound arrangements for all Hong Kong residents stranded aboard the cruise ship. By end of 2019, the SAR government had set-up 15 economic and trade offices overseas and had also worked out emergency and contingency plans. At the same time, all Chinese citizens, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents, are entitled to consular protection services by the Chinese government. All Hong Kong residents may seek consular assistance whenever they have difficulties while overseas.
The holistic view of national security, raised by President Xi Jinping in 2014, is a broad concept and encompasses more than 10 major fields. Each of these fields is closely relevant to Hong Kong.
National security is of extreme importance to the survival and development of a country. All countries take national security seriously, and China is no exception. China has improved and upgraded its legal system for national security.
National security matters to the well-being of 1.4 billion people in China. The Central Government shoulders the responsibility to safeguard national security. Just as the saying goes, only when a country is prosperous can its people live in peace. If national security is under threat, it is impossible for people to live and work contentedly.
First, the Central Government has the overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and this is the source for the high degree of autonomy of the Hong Kong SAR. Hong Kong adopts an executive-led political system and the executive branch, headed by the Chief Executive, plays the dominant and leading role in the operations of the entire political system, including the making of public policies, the legislative agenda and the operations of the government.
On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong returned to the motherland, marking an end to more than 150 years of British colonial rule. China has always had sovereignty over Hong Kong. Therefore, on July 1, 1997, China officially resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and it should not be understood as an occasion on which China regained sovereignty. The ceremony between China and Britain was about the handover of the governing power, not the transfer of sovereignty.
In March 2021, the National People’s Congress adopted the decision on improving Hong Kong’s electoral system, so as to ensure the implementation of the “patriots governing Hong Kong” principle, and to improve the governance efficiency of the Special Administrative Region. Later, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress revised Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law, making specific and clear provisions on the new electoral system.
According to the Constitution, the socialist system is the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China. And the leadership by the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Put simply, the development direction of the country is decided under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, or the CPPCC, held its first plenary session in September 1949, marking the official establishment of the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.