News analysis Why Hong Kong is going 'all out' in patriotic education

Efforts reflect insecurity among officials over city's openness, foreign interference

- Magdalene Fung

HONG KONG - From legislative proceedings and reminders from Beijing to a large-scale exhibition, Hong Kong is going "all out and in all directions" to instill the importance of national security among its residents and, to a lesser extent, audiences beyond its shores.

The move appears to be aimed at preventing a repeat of the social unrest that Hong Kong experienced in 2019. But the scope and nature of the efforts also reflect an ongoing contest over the narratives surrounding the city's past and a deep sense of insecurity among its officials, analysts say.

"The government endeavors to build mainstream values in Hong Kong characterized by patriotism with affection for our country and Hong Kong," Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang told the Legislative Council on Dec 11.

"As such, we hope to take the 'all out and all directions' approach to vigorously promote the spirit of patriotism and cultivate an enhanced patriotic atmosphere in society, enabling patriotism to take root in Hong Kong as well as in people's minds."

Mr Tsang was responding to a lawmaker's queries on the city's progress in advancing patriotic education.

His comments came a week after Beijing's top official in Hong Kong, Mr Zheng Yanxiong, reminded the city to learn from the painful lessons of its past and not to become complacent in safeguarding national security despite its present social stability.

These reminders that security threats are ever present in Hong Kong reflect how the events of 2019 continue to have an impact not just on regular residents, but also on the psyche of mainland and local officials.

Hong Kong went through a prolonged period of sometimes violent anti-government protests in 2019, which were sparked by a proposed extradition Bill that would have allowed for criminal suspects to be transferred to mainland China and other jurisdictions to face trial.