6th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law: Solid Institutional Safeguards for Good Governance

6th Anniversary of promulgation and implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law: solid institutional safeguards for good governance

Today (June 30) marks the 6th Anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said that the HKNSL, as well as other laws and efforts of the HKSAR in safeguarding national security, ensure effective protection of national security in the HKSAR. As mentioned in the white paper titled "Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems" (the white paper) published by the State Council Information Office in February this year, stability and safety of the city have been restored by the HKNSL, which serves as a key stabilising force in safeguarding national security by providing solid institutional safeguards to promote good governance in the HKSAR.

Hong Kong National Security Law, Photo source: reference image

The HKSAR Government spokesman said, "Safeguarding national security falls within the purview of the Central Government. We thank the Central Government for enacting the HKNSL at the state level six years ago, which was a 'watershed moment' in Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order. The HKSAR has also been conscientiously and faithfully fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security. This includes the current-term Government's historic completion of legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law by enacting the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), which achieves convergence, compatibility and complementarity with the HKNSL. Together with other relevant legislative amendments and the enactment of subsidiary legislation, these efforts continuously improve the comprehensive and effective legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, building strong lines of defence in national security for the HKSAR. All these enable us to keep charting a steady course amid global volatility, and to stride forward confidently on the promising path of advancing from stability to prosperity.

"Both Article 4 of the HKNSL and section 2 of the SNSO stipulate clearly that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, which the residents of Hong Kong enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law.

"In fact, since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, the livelihood of citizens and the business environment in Hong Kong have steadily improved while our economic performance is consistently scaling new highs. According to the Economic Freedom of the World 2025 Annual Report, Hong Kong has once again been ranked as the world's freest economy. In the recently published World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, Hong Kong ranked second globally, which is the highest ranking achieved since 2019, with the city's global competitiveness rising for the third consecutive year. Hong Kong also ranks among the top three international financial centres, and we came first in the world in terms of funds raised through initial public offerings in 2025, and have become the world's largest cross-boundary wealth management centre. All these show that the safe and stable business environment of Hong Kong as protected under the HKNSL and the SNSO is widely recognised by the international community. Recent geopolitical tensions have only further accentuated Hong Kong's role as a 'safe harbour' in the world."

Photo source: reference image

The spokesman emphasised, "The geopolitical situation remains complex and volatile at present. The fight to safeguard national security in Hong Kong has never ceased, and we must stay vigilant at all times. Safeguarding national security is not only the responsibility of the HKSAR Government; each and every one in society should also play the role as a participant and a facilitator in order to safeguard our national security in a comprehensive manner. In view of this, the HKSAR Government is committed to stepping up publicity and education efforts to enhance public awareness of their responsibility in safeguarding national security, such that while we focus our energy on pursuing economic growth, seeking development and improving the livelihood of the people, we will not forget that national security risks still exist and can arise all of a sudden, and that we 'must not forget the pain even though the wounds have healed'. In this regard, the Government continues to enhance and broaden the scope of promotion and education efforts in national security through a multipronged approach. In response to the white paper's call to advance national security publicity and education in a steady and substantive manner, the Security Bureau has, amongst others, launched a series of programmes to mark the 6th Anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the HKNSL, so that the concept of 'security brings prosperity' will take root in the community, and the general public will consciously safeguard national security, thereby creating a strong, combined force of the entire community safeguarding national security together. Some of these programmes include a five-episode television series entitled 'NS files: Decoded', which features in-depth analyses of national security cases and is being premiered on June 30, revealing to members of the public the severe national security challenges that the HKSAR faced in the past. Besides, a national security interactive drama based on the 'Andy and Security Bear' series will be presented to the public in early July, and the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Groups National Security Quiz Competition was held in early June, enabling university and tertiary students to have exchanges in national security knowledge, showcasing the younger generation's earnest commitment to safeguarding and promoting national security."

The spokesman reiterated, "Safeguarding national security is a continuous endeavour with no end point. Against a complex and volatile geopolitical backdrop, the HKSAR Government will strive to steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully uphold the highest principle of 'one country, two systems' under the robust protection of the HKNSL and the SNSO. Meanwhile, we will protect the legal interests, rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents and other people in Hong Kong in accordance with the law to advance the high-quality development of the cause of 'one country, two systems' under the auspices of high-level security."

Safeguarding national security is a continuous endeavour with no end point. Against a complex and volatile geopolitical backdrop, the HKSAR Government will strive to steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully uphold the highest principle of 'one country, two systems' under the robust protection of the HKNSL and the SNSO.

LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning

As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.

Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.

The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.

A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.

Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

Source: AI-found images