Hong Kong official urges new police graduates to safeguard national security
Deputy Secretary for Security Cheuk Hau-yip told over 140 police graduates that the force must remain vigilant despite apparent calm, recalling 2019 protests and stressing the importance of national security in the city's new five-year plan.
Deputy Secretary for Security Cheuk Hau-yip on 14 November urged more than 140 graduating police officers to uphold the spirit of 'loyalty to safeguard national security, courage to protect the homeland'. Speaking at the Police College graduation parade, he said this year marks the start of both the national 15th five-year plan and Hong Kong's first five-year plan, and expressed confidence that the police force will continue to play a key role in protecting the city.
Cheuk recalled that the 2019 'black violence' incidents highlighted the importance of national security. He said that while the current situation appears peaceful, society must remain vigilant in times of peace. 'Hong Kong has long been one of the safest and most stable cities in the world, and the police force has made indispensable contributions,' he added.
The deputy secretary described the force as a learning and intelligent organisation that has constantly reformed and moved forward, passing down its spirit from generation to generation. He encouraged the new graduates to carry on the tradition of loyalty, courage and dedication to society, and to actively adapt to challenges in order to better protect Hong Kong and serve its people.
Cheuk also advised the graduates to take their mission as the foundation, stick to their principles, and ask themselves both on and off duty whether their actions would enhance public trust and confidence in the police. He stressed that officers should always demonstrate team spirit, a people-first approach, empathy and communication skills, and never treat any incident as a cold case number.