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

CFS to follow up certain batches of powdered infant and young children formula with possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (January 10) said that, it took initiative to meet with Nestlé Hong Kong again today, and confirmed the company's today announcement of an additional batch of powdered infant and young children formula suspected to have possibly used the raw material concerned. Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall. The CFS has collected samples of powdered infant and young children formula from the market for Bacillus cereus testing, the test results so far were satisfactory. The Environmental and Ecology Bureau is also closely monitoring the supply situation of other formula milk powder and maintaining communication with other major suppliers. It is noted that there is sufficient formula milk powder to meet the demand.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Photo source: reference image

The spokesman said, the CFS has been actively following up on Nestlé company's voluntary and precautionary recalls of certain batches of its powdered infant and young children formula in certain areas in Europe due to possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus in the individual raw material. According to the latest information from Nestlé Hong Kong today, an additional batch of its powdered infant and young children formula imported into Hong Kong might have used the raw material concerned. The CFS had earlier enhanced surveillance in the market and collected a sample from the above batch for testing of Bacillus cereus. The test result of the sample was satisfactory. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall.

Product details are as follows:

Product name (Net weight): NAN PRO 1 2 HMO (800g)

Batch number: 51670742F2

Best-before date: June 16, 2027

Place of Origin: Germany

"The CFS met Nestlé Hong Kong again today, urging them to properly handle the product recall issue and respond to public enquiries, in order to safeguard consumers' legitimate rights and interests. In addition, the CFS and Nestlé Hong Kong have jointly followed up, six suspected affected batches of infant and young children formula products that had not entered the market were marked and sealed. An additional 15 batches are currently en route to Hong Kong and will also be marked and sealed upon arrival. The CFS will continue to closely monitor the recall matters and remain fully committed to ensuring food safety, " the spokesman said.

Nestlé Hong Kong has initiated a recall of the affected batches of the products concerned. For enquiries about the recall, members of the public may contact the company through the following channels:

Consumer services hotline: 2599 8874 / 2797 6031/ 2179 8136 (Monday to Sunday, 9am to 9pm)

Email: consumerservices@hk.nestle.com

WhatsApp: 5283 4139 (NESTLÉ® NAN®) / 2599 8871 (Wyeth® Nutrition)

Online form: forms.office.com/e/BhqMhWfsUG?origin=lprLink

Consumers may choose to bring along the products (brand new or opened) for refund at place of purchase, or at exclusive service counters of Nestlé Nutrition Services from January 13 (Tuesday) onwards, to settle the recall and refund of the batches of the products concerned. Details of the exclusive service counters are as follows:

Kowloon Services Counter

Address: G/F, Park Hovan Commercial Building, 18 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (MTR Jordon Station Exit D)

Contact number: 3996 8196

Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm; Sunday, 1pm to 5.30pm (except public holidays)

Hong Kong Services Counter

Address: 1/F, Ka Nin Wah Commercial Building, 423-425 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong (MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit B)

Contact number: 3996 8197

Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm (except Sundays and public holidays)

The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted earlier that certain batches of Nestlé powdered infant formula were being voluntarily recalled in Europe due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS has immediately initiated follow up actions, published food incident posts to inform the public and the trade about the issue, and has been actively following up on the incident and enhanced surveillance.

Over the past three days (as of 4pm on January 9), the FEHD received a total of 18 food complaints and enquiries suspected to be related to the infant and young children formula products, including one anonymous complaint without contact information. The CFS and the Environmental Hygiene Branch have promptly followed up on all cases, including contacting the parties concerned to obtain details and collecting samples for testing. In addition, the CFS has referred the cases to the health department for follow-up. At present, no food poisoning cases related to the formula have been recorded.

Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced in food by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

The spokesman urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batches of the products, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children who felt unwell after taking the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately.

"The CFS continues to closely monitor the developments of the situation, follow up and take appropriate action," the spokesman said.

The infant formula of Nestlé, Photo source: online image