Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam attended a news conference in Hong Kong (File)
Hong Kong:
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that “ideologies” posed a risk to national security and urged parents, teachers and religious leaders to observe teens’ behavior and report lawbreakers to the authorities.
The financial center has taken a sharply authoritarian turn last year after China imposed sweeping national security legislation and changed its political system to curtail democratic participation and exclude people loyal to Beijing.
In his weekly news conference, Lam expressed dismay at some residents mourning the death of a 50-year-old man who killed himself on July 1, the anniversary of the former British colony’s return to Chinese rule and the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party. Earlier, a policeman had been stabbed. .
“For a long time, citizens have been exposed to erroneous ideas, such as seeking justice through illegal means,” Lam told reporters, adding that national security risks stem not only from “public order” acts, but also from ideology.
The city has been polarized since protesters took to the streets in 2019 with activists calling for more democracy and accountability to police violence. Officials have said the protests were fueled by foreign forces and exposed the risk to national security.
Since the security law was introduced, most prominent government opponents have been imprisoned or fled abroad. Critics say the law has crushed city-wide rights and liberties, while supporters say it has restored stability.
“Government departments must not allow illegal ideas to reach the public through education, broadcasting, arts and culture, beautifying violence, and tarnishing the public’s conscience,” Lam said.
“I call upon parents, principals, teachers and even pastors to observe the acts of teenagers around them. If some juveniles are found to be doing illegal acts, they should be informed.”
Police and security officials said the stabbing death of the 28-year-old policeman was a “terrorist,” lone wolf attack, based on unspecified material found on the attacker’s computer.
People went to the scene of the attack on Friday, along with some children, to pay respects and offer flowers to the attacker, condemned by Lam and other officials.
Lam said residents should not be deceived by messages circulating online, suggesting the government bears no responsibility for the violence, or slogans such as “there is no violence, only tyranny”.
“Don’t look for excuses from the violent side,” said Lam.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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