The only candidate to succeed Carrie Lam as Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu has announced his first task will be to push for legislation to give force to Article 23 of the Special Administrative Region’s Basic Law.
Article 23 stipulates that laws will be made “to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People’s Government”.
Mr Lee (pictured) was speaking in support of the SAR’s National Security Education Day, during which the Hong Kong Civil Service College launched a series of on-line learning resources which it said would enhance bureaucrats’ understanding of national security.
Secretary for the Public Service, Patrick Nip said Public Servants were the backbone of the Government and it was incumbent upon them to acquire an accurate understanding of the Hong Kong National Security Law.
“They must enhance awareness of safeguarding national security and act in accord fully with the Hong Kong Government in discharging its duty to safeguard national security,” Mr Nip said.
He said national security-related activities were also being organised among teachers and students.
Secretary for Education, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said he attached high importance to teachers’ understanding of national security and was organising legal experts to lecture and distribute books on the National Security Law.
Mr Lee is to assume his duties on 8 May after more than 1,400 Election Committee members formally cast their ballots in his favour.
Hong Kong, 18 April 2022
