F.

4 Citizenship and Social Development

Theme 1 Chapter 3 – National Security

Theme: Hong Kong under “One Country, Two Systems”

Topic: The meaning and implementation of “one country, two systems”
Chapter: Safeguarding National Security
Learning focus: – Understanding the concept of national security
– Exploring the different scopes and aspects of national security
– Analyzing the significance and importance of national security
to the country and to the long-term development of Hong Kong
– Understanding the balance between the rule of law and
human rights.

1. Warming up activities – reflecting on the concept security

Brainstorm ideas for the following questions:

a. What is security? Under what conditions would you consider your home secured?
b. What is national security? Under what conditions would you considered our country
secured?

A secured home should be: A secured country should be:

1. No intruders 1. Free from external threat
2. Secured internet 2. No social unrest / uprisings
3. Family harmony 3. No leakage of national secrets
4. Energy security

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2. What should be included in national Security? Let’s get some insight from foreign countries
from Source A.
Source A – Foreign examples of legislation for national security
Country Year Brief explanation
Department of Homeland Security was formed and the US
PATRIOT Act was formulated to authorize law enforcement
United States 2002
agencies to access personal data, intercept electronic
communication, etc.
The National Security and Investment Bill stipulates that
United Kingdom 2021 approval from the UK government is required for acquisitions
involving sensitive areas such as national defence.
The law against foreign interference was formulated to deter
Australia 2018 foreign political interference and strengthen the punishment on
leakage of national secrets.
The Internal Security Act authorizes the president to detain an
Singapore 1989 individual for up to two years without trial in order to deter
threats to national security.

a. Deduce from Source A the areas or scope to be included in national security.

1) National Defence (lack of external threat or internal unrest)
2) Information Technology
3) Sovereignty (free from foreign interference)
4) National Secrets (Avoid leakage)

Concept corner (1): National Security

 National Security is related to public safety and national interest.

 The regime, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, welfare of people, sustainable
economic and social development and other major interest of the state are free from
dangers or threats, both internally and externally.
 That means there is no external threat or internal unrest or disorder.
 As national security threats and challenges changes with time, a country should
constantly adjust the scope of national security and work out strategies to safeguard
national security.

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3. Core Elements and Major Fields

a. Five Core Elements of national Security

People’s
Security

Political
International Security
Security

Overall
National
Security

Military, Economic
Cultural & Security
Public Security

b. Jigsaw Simulation Game – Imagine that you are the security consultants of the Central
Authority of the country. What would you suggest to include in the following aspects of
national security? Give one example for each aspect as explanation.

Types Aspects Explanation Examples Why is it important?

Political Safeguard the regime, Legislation on the Political stability for
Security political system, National Security China’s development,
sovereignty, political Law personal safety of citizens
order, etc.
Homeland Protect territorial Return of HK to the Unity, peaceful living
Traditional

Security integrity, national motherland environment

unity, border, natural
resources,
infrastructure, etc.
Military Military power, Preventing military Personal safety, property
Security strategies, leadership, invasion` safety of citizens
military system, etc.

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 Economic Economic system, Stabilizing the value Competitiveness,
Security economic order, and exchange rate of economic strength, QOL
sovereignty, RMB of Chinese citizens
development, etc.
Cultural Tangible & intangible Cultural Spiritual support,
Security culture conservation e.g. common values, unity
Cantonese opera,
Historical building
Public Public order, hygiene, Preventing terrorist Social harmony
Security public opinions attack, encouraging Social stability
vaccination to Public health
combat COVID 19
Science & Facilities, talents, Developing and Independent science &
Technolog equipment, mastering technology supports
y Security achievements, technology such as works on national
applications AI, 5G to avoid security e.g. use of AI
being controlled
Cyber Network Preventing attack by Protecting national
Security infrastructure, hackers secrets, personal privacy,
operation and stable network enables
services, information the smoothness of our
security daily lives
Ecological Water, land, Tackling pollution, Sustainable development
Security atmosphere, species, ecological & survival of species and
conservation humans
Resource Stable & sufficient Developing Stable power supply with
Security supply of resources, renewable energy reasonable cost is the
cost of energy (Three Gorges Dam, basis for country’s
solor panels) development
Nuclear Peaceful use of Proper disposal of Improper use of nuclear
Security nuclear energy, nuclear waste will lead to irreversible
facilities, technology, consequence e.g. nuclear
etc. fallout; threat from
nuclear weapons
Overseas Safety & interest of Assisting nationals Safety of Chinese citizens
Interest overseas Chinese when they encounter even in overseas
Security citizens, institutes and unexpected incidents
enterprises. abroad
Biosecurity Peaceful exploration, Genetic engineering, Safeguard the security in
Emerging fields

scientific cloning technology the new arenas; develop

Outer investigation, China’s space and extend China’s
space development and station; unscrewed interest in these emerging
Security utilization, mission to Mars fields

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 international
Deep Sea cooperation Deep sea oil
Security production;
experiment on deep
sea lives
Polar China’s 28 Antarctic
Security Expedition team to
Antarctica; China is
becoming a “polar
great power”

c. Overall speaking, what is the significance of safeguarding national security?

 Safeguarding interest of the people – people are free from threats, life and properties
protected
 Avoid possible threats – safeguard national security in all areas to avoid possible negative
impacts on the nations and the people.
 Securing sustainable development – a safe and stable environment with sufficient
resources to develop

4. Works of Hong Kong in National Security

a. Legislation – National Security Law

Secession

Chapter III “Offences and

Penalties” in the Law of the
Subversion People’s Republic of China on Terrorist
Safeguarding National Security Activities
in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region

Collusion with a foreign country or

with external elements to endanger
national security

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 b. Responsible Institutions

Under Central Authority Supervision and accountability

Office for Safeguarding National HKSAR Committee for

Security of the Central Peoples’ Safeguarding National Security
Government in HKSAR - Chief Executive as chairperson
- Providing advice to the Committee - A National Security Advisor
for safeguarding National Security from the Central Authority to
- Handles more serious / give advice
complicated cases - Formulates policies & develop
- Overseeing, guiding and systems
supporting the work of HKSAR on - Make work plans
national security - Coordinating major work

HK Courts National Security National Security

Trial Prosecution Division Department (Police Force)
Prosecution Law enforcement

Question to ponder:

1) Does the National Security Law impair the basic rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents?
No: Those rights and freedom of HK residents are protected by the Basic Law. Enjoying these
rights and freedom in a lawful manner will not be affected.

2) Is upholding the rule of law and safeguarding human rights contradictory?

The rule of law is the prerequisite of safeguarding human rights. Without the rule of law, basic
human rights cannot be guaranteed.

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c. National Security Education

Skill Corner (1): How to make suggestions

1. STEP ONE – WHO will do it?

 Identify the party(ies) / stakeholder(s) who will do the job. For example,
government / Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) / School / Parents /
Businessmen
 You may need to consider their nature or functions when you make suggestions for
them.
 If no stakeholder is mentioned in the question, you may include different parties in
your answers.

2. STEP TWO: WHAT to do? i.e what is the suggestion

 Identify the problem to be tackled in the question.
 Think about the causes of the problem and suggest relevant ways which can be
done by the stakeholders. For Example:
 Government – legislation / education / Economic incentives (e.g. subsidies /
grants) or disincentive (levy, tax, charges, etc.)
 NGOs – promotion (e.g. campaign, organize programmes or activities) /
monitoring / services (e.g. counselling, care-taking)
 School – education / pastoral care
 Parents – role model / accompany / family education
 Businessmen – sponsoring / corporate responsibilities

3. STEP THREE – DETAILS of the plan

Explain the suggestion in detail e.g. ‘Education”, you should explain:
 Which type of education it should be? (School? Community? Promotion by mass
media?)
 What is the target group? (Students? Kindergarten / primary / secondary / tertiary?
General public?)
 What is the content of education? (Core subjects? Civic education? OLE?)
 How long or how frequent? (Whole year? Each term? Each month?) … etc.

4. STEP FOUR – HOW can it achieve the goal?

Explain how your suggestions can EFFECTIVELY tackle the problem in detail.
E.g.“Education”:
 It fundamentally changes people’s mind-set & behavior?
 Great coverage of people as it would reach the entire generation
 Pass knowledge and information to students so that they are able to do the job, etc.

Note: Please do not suggest any solution which is not feasible or effective (though you
are not required to talk about the feasibility of the suggestion)

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 a. Suggest TWO ways which can be adopted in secondary schools to promote National Security
Education.
 Class teacher session – feed students with key concepts / class teacher has close bond to
students / easy to bring knowledge about national security to / understanding what
behaviors are not desirable students / infiltrating national security in their mind
 Flag raising ceremony – reminds students of their identity as Chinese / developing the
proper attitude towards the nation / foster a sense of belonging to the country
 Forming National Security club – students take the lead to design programmes / from
bottom-up / develop their interest in national security / activities which appeal their
interest as it is designed by students / have fun while getting knowledge on national
security

Skill Corner (3): Concerns

1. What is concern?
 Concern = worries / anxiety / a matter of interest or importance of a particular party
 Worried about possible negative consequence

2. Steps to tackle the questions on concerns:

 Identify the worries of the party(ies)
 Explain the worries by pointing out the possible negative impacts which may be
brought about by the issue
 Clear explanation on how the issue will lead to these impacts

Source B: Adapted from Financial Secretary’s blog in 2020, his speech in a webinar in 2021 and a
news report in 2021

Since the enactment of the National Security Law, Hong Kong’s financial market has remained
stable and continues to operate smoothly. Even though there have been rumours of an outflow of
capital, there has not been any noticeable signs of an outflow of capital from the banking system.
In contrast, we have seen an inflow of US$50 billion into the Hong Kong currency system up to
the end of 2020. In 2020, there were over 9 000 overseas and Mainland companies operating in
Hong Kong, of which 1 500 had their regional headquarters in the city, reflecting that the
companies from different countries are full of confidence in Hong Kong. In addition, some
global banks, funds and other financial service providers say they are stepping up hiring in Hong
Kong. ‘Hong Kong has some unique advantages, and it will remain the gateway for many of our
local and global clients to access China,’ said the Head of Citi’s Asia-Pacific corporate bank.

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 b. Based on Source B, identify and explain one possible concern people may have over the
business environment after the implementation of the National Security.
Foreign investment in Hong Kong – worried about the “outflow of capital” which will
negatively affect Hong Kong’s economic development e.g. banking industry, withdrawal of
TNCs. This may lower our GDP and lead to reduction of job opportunities.

5. National Security and Long-term Development of Hong Kong

Concept corner (2): Development (of Hong Kong / of the nation)

 = growth and changes which make the city or country to be better or more advanced.
 Break the development into different aspects. For example:
 Political – governance, unity of the country, political stability
 Economic – Higher GDP, more job opportunities, increase foreign investment,
tourism
 Social – harmony, stability, mobility, city development
 Cultural – cultural conservation, promotion of culture, cultural enrichment
 Diplomatic (for the nation only) – global influence, diplomatic relationship,
bargaining power
 Military (for the nation only) – military capability, morale

a. How does the promotion of national security facilitate the long-term development of Hong
Kong?
 Social stability – it prevents social unrest which disrupt the society e.g. destructions of
facilities, blocking of roads, terrorist attacks, etc. / public order can be maintained / residents
enjoy in a peaceful and stable life
 Social Harmony – avoid the abuse of the rights and freedom or use of illegal ways to express
opinions / the national security law has made clear guidelines on what radical actions are not
accepted in HK / avoids confrontations between parties in radical ways / create a more
harmonious society with more appreciation and acceptance
 Economic growth – terrorists activities which violates national security damage investors’
confidence e.g. vandalism of shops, boycotting some corporations, destructions of public
facilities / better awareness of national security prevent negative impact on economic security
/ better economic development

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6. Glossary
 National Security Law 國家安全法
 Secession 分裂國家罪
 Subversion 顛覆國家政權罪
 Terrorist Activities 恐怖活動罪
 Collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security 勾
結外國或者境外勢力危害國家安全罪
 Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central Peoples’ Government in HKSAR
駐港國安公署
 HKSAR Committee for Safeguarding National Security 香港特別行政區維護國家安全委
員會
 National Security Department (Police Force) 國全部門 / 國家安全處
 National Security Prosecution Division 國家安全檢控部門維護國家安全檢控科

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