Hong Kong Celebrates Five Years of National Security Law with Thematic Exhibition on Stability and Prosperity.

Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 5th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition

The following is issued on behalf of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:

The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that a thematic exhibition will be held at the National Security Exhibition Gallery to mark the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition was launched today (June 12) at the Hong Kong Museum of History, and the exhibition is now open to all Hong Kong citizens.

National security is the bedrock of national rejuvenation, and social stability is a prerequisite for building a strong and prosperous China. The overarching principle of "One Country, Two Systems" is to safeguard national security, sovereignty and development interests.

For over 20 years after Hong Kong's return to the motherland, due to the obstruction and interference by anti-China destabilising elements in the city and external forces, the legislative process of Article 23 of the Basic Law had not been completed, presenting significant loopholes in national security. Activities endangering national security, including the illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014 and the Mong Kok riots in 2016, continued and evolved into the Hong Kong version of "colour revolution" in 2019, posing a serious threat to national security.

On June 30, 2020, the Central Government took decisive action to turn the tide by enacting the Hong Kong National Security Law. This immediately stopped the violence and curbed disorder, thereby restoring social order and putting Hong Kong back on the right track. On March 19, 2024, the Legislative Council unanimously passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which took effect upon gazettal on March 23, 2024. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Legislative Council have thus accomplished the historic mission of legislating for Article 23 of the Basic Law. The Hong Kong National Security Law achieves convergence, compatibility and complementarity with the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, thereby strengthening effective legal protection for national security.

The HKSAR Government has consistently been committed to promoting national security education. This thematic exhibition aims to facilitate the public's understanding of and appreciation for the hard-won situation that Hong Kong is now enjoying, and to motivate all to work together to help the city shine on the global stage.

At the opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, who officiated the event, reiterated the three "must-nots" and one "must":

"The first 'must-not' is that we must not forget history. Traditional Chinese wisdom has it that 'history, if not forgotten, can serve as a guide for the future'. We all surely remember the 2019 legislative amendment turmoil, which posed a grave threat to national security and severely undermined the peaceful and stable environment we took for granted.

"The second 'must-not' is that we must not turn a blind eye to reality. Traditional Chinese wisdom teaches us to 'remain vigilant in times of peace'. We must not ignore problems around us. Although Hong Kong society has restored stability and national security, threats are often not immediately visible. It is obvious that hostile states and forces continue to try to suppress our country's development.

"The third 'must-not' is that we must not stand idly by. Chinese culture values action, not just empty words. Since national security is closely related to our individual well-being, naturally we all must take concrete steps and shoulder our responsibilities in safeguarding national security.

"On the foundation of these three 'must-nots', we have one 'must': we must uphold the rule of law in safeguarding national security. This principle is explicitly stated in Article 5 of the Hong Kong National Security Law. A robust legal system has long been the cornerstone of Hong Kong's success. It is the prerequisite for the city to thrive as an international financial, trade, and shipping centre."

Another officiating guest, the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, remarked during the ceremony:

"Safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests is not only a constitutional duty of the HKSAR, but also a fundamental obligation of every citizen.

"We must always remember that the previous chaos left an indelible scar on Hong Kong's history."

He further stated that hostile forces have not given up. Citizens must remain vigilant against the following risks: first, external hostile forces continue to attempt to undermine national security through smears and so-called "sanctions"; second, anti-China destabilising elements in the city who have fled overseas continue to engage in activities and behaviours that threaten national security; third, local terrorism; and fourth, "soft resistance", where individuals with ulterior motives exploit fake news and misinformation to divide society and incite hatred.

"National security has been hard-won. The HKSAR Government will continue to make full use of national security laws and remain steadfast in its duty to protect national security."

The Hong Kong National Security Law has been in effect for five years, marking Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order, and from order to prosperity. The HKSAR Government will continue to enhance publicity and promotional efforts, unite all sectors of society, and break new ground in national security work. It will fully and accurately implement the principle of "one country, two systems", safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 5th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 5th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 5th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 5th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 5th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 5th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

May 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Eastern

Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho

9.1%

1.4

Islands

Tung Chung

2.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan

6.7%

1.5

Tai Po

Tai Po East

2.2%

2.0

Tai Po West

15.5%

1.0

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

9.1%

1.4

District

Survey Area

May 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui

16.8%

1.3

Eastern

Chai Wan

15.4%

1.0

North Point and Quarry Bay

18.9%

1.4

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

20.8%

1.7

Sha Tin

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

18.3%

1.4

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Town

6.9%

2.3

The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.

For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;

remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases