Beijing strikes cautionary tone on protests in Hong Kong

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, speaks during the National Security Education Day opening ceremony in Hong Kong, Saturday

China’s senior official overseeing Hong Kong’s affairs said Saturday that protests are not the only way for people to express their views, weeks after the city’s strict protest rules sparked controversy while signaling Beijing’s vision for the financial hub.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, said the anti-government movement sparked by an extradition bill in 2019 is a scar that will not fade away and he warned against a repeat of such chaos.

Xia’s remarks at a ceremony on China’s National Security Education Day indicated Beijing’s views on the city, which is promoting its return to normalcy following strict pandemic-
related restrictions and political turmoil over the past three years.

In late March, Hong Kong saw its first authorized protest against a government policy since the lifting of major pandemic restrictions under unprecedentedly strict rules, with demonstrators made to wear numbered badges around their necks.

“Demonstrations are not the only way to express one’s interests and demands,” Xia said Saturday, noting that there is no contradiction between safeguarding national security and expressing one’s views.

Past experiences have shown that causes centered on environmental protection and livelihood issues can be easily hijacked, he said.

“People’s good will can be easily exploited and manipulated by others with ulterior motives,” he said. “Demands on livelihood issues can even be distorted into political issues and that eventually trigger social confrontation.”

He said a confrontational society has no future, calling on Hong Kong to build a climate for rational communication.

“I hope Hong Kong can host exhibitions, develop innovation and technology, strive for economic development, have horse races, dances, stock activities, and earn some money every day,” he said.

Xia also described the 2019 protests as Hong Kong’s version of a “color revolution” and said the city cannot allow its district councils to be controlled by anti-China and “destabilizing” forces.

The city’s district councilors largely handle municipal matters such as organizing construction projects and ensuring that public facilities are in order.  KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG,  MDT/AP

SAR holds exhibition on national security

An exhibition on national security education was unveiled Saturday in the region, aiming to help local residents better understand new achievements in building and developing the national security system.

Jointly hosted by the SAR government and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, the one-month exhibition displays over 350 photographs and multiple video footages showcasing increased modernization of the national security system and capabilities during the past decade.

Director of the liaison office Zheng Xincong remarked that it is imperative to continuously “improve the Macau SAR’s system and capabilities to safeguard national security, advance the steady and sustained development of the ‘One country, two systems” cause with Macau characteristics, further improve supporting legislation and enforcement mechanism, and leverage the unique cultural advantages of Macau.”