The Force is dedicated to safeguarding national security. With the implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (NSL), the Force has incorporated 'Safeguarding National Security' into its Strategic Directions 2022-2024 and the Commissioner's Operational Priorities.
Acts Endangering National Security
The National Security Department (NSD) is the department of the Force that safeguards national security, enforces the NSL and assists the Force in work related to safeguarding national security. It maintains interdepartmental partnerships with other disciplined services, government departments and relevant stakeholders to jointly combat crimes that involve endangering national security. As at December 31, 2023, the NSD had arrested 290 people who allegedly engaged in acts and activities endangering national security since the NSL came into force in 2020.
The Force held an open day at the Hong Kong Police College on April 15 in support of National Security Education Day and hosted the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, who toured the Force's exhibition booth accompanied by the Commissioner, Mr Siu Chak-yee, and other senior officials.
NSD Reporting Hotline
The NSD operates a hotline to help members of the public provide information or report cases related to national security, and also runs an official WeChat account to disseminate information related to national security. Since its launch in 2020, the hotline has received more than 650,000 pieces of information, which were pivotal to the work of safeguarding national security.
NSD Third Anniversary Commemorative Booklet
The year 2023 marked the third anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the NSL and the establishment of the NSD. To commend and recognise all members of the Force for their hard work and achievements in safeguarding national security to date, the NSD published a commemorative booklet entitled Defending Our Home, which consisted of four chapters featuring valuable photographs and important messages, as a record of the important milestones achieved by the Force in safeguarding national security.
National Security, A Mission We Share
Safeguarding national security is the mission of each and every police officer. In addition to doing its utmost to enforce the NSL, the NSD actively strengthens internal publicity and education on the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the Basic Law and the NSL to enhance police officers' awareness and sense of mission in safeguarding national security, and to boost their sense of national identity.
During the year, the NSD launched an activity named NScript Constitution in Calligraphy to enhance police officers' knowledge and understanding of the Constitution. The activity enabled officers to understand the spirit and content of the Constitution through the information displayed, and to write down phrases and sentences about the content of the Constitution on the spot with an electronic writing brush on a 'smart calligraphy desk'.
To strengthen the sense of national identity among members of the Force and celebrate the Chinese People's Police Day on January 10 and Chinese New Year, the NSD organised an event named NScript New Year in Calligraphy at the Police Headquarters and the Police Sports and Recreation Club. All Force members and their families were invited to write traditional and electronic 'fai chun', or spring blessings on scrolls, to express their wishes of security and stability for the country, and peace and contentment for the people. The Commissioner and the then Deputy Commissioner (National Security) were invited to each pen a scroll of calligraphy, namely, 'security brings prosperity' and 'prosperity for the country and contentment for the people'. These scrolls were then printed in bulk and given away with OffBeat as a token of appreciation to the Force's members for their contributions, and to members of the public for their support of the Force.
National Security Starts with Me
In view of the crucial role played by civil servants and disciplined services members in safeguarding national security, the NSD actively disseminates to stakeholders the message, 'National Security Starts with Me', and maintains close communication and collaboration with them to achieve greater synergy.
During the year, the NSD, in collaboration with the Security Bureau, launched the NSmart Quiz at 15 venues in the Central Government Offices, headquarters of various disciplined services, headquarters of the Independent Commission Against Corruption and other government buildings to enhance understanding of the Constitution, the Basic Law and the NSL among civil servants and disciplined services members. The NSD hopes to raise all civil servants' awareness of national security, so that they can act as role models to take the lead in safeguarding national security on individual fronts and lay a sound foundation for realising the country's goals.
Over the six months of the activity, it attracted attendance from more than 17,000 civil servants and disciplined services members.
National Security: Counting On You
The pursuit of national security demands the participation of every citizen. To further enhance public understanding of the importance of national security to Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability and to the Force's work in safeguarding national security, the Police College hosted an open day on April 15, National Security Education Day. Other disciplined forces were invited to take part in the event.
Students visited the NS Express National Security Exhibition with their teacher during Police College Open Day on National Security Education Day to raise their understanding of national security.
The Force also organised an exhibition, themed 'Safeguarding national security, Seizing development opportunities', to introduce the major elements of the holistic approach to national security so people could understand the vital link between national security and daily life, and how they could contribute to the country's security and development as well as Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.
The Force's exhibition booth clinched the silver award in the Security Bureau's Disciplined Forces National Security Education Promotion Competition on National Security Education Day.