A total of 116 members from Care Teams and district organizations who have completed training were appointed national security mentors on Monday, responsible for sharing national security information in communities.

During the launching ceremony of the National Security Education District Tutor Training Scheme, government officials revealed that it hopes to train over 2,600 tutors through 2025 and spread messages of national security to more than 78,000 residents through the program.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government encourages each tutor to spread messages of national security to at least 30 residents annually, and emphasized that it is not setting an indicator, but hopes to let more residents learn about national security through the program.

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The four hours of training is delivered by experienced educators and consists of interactive learning and a visit to the National Security Exhibition Gallery. Trainees are also given materials to help them advocate for national security in their communities.

The teaching content includes an introduction to the “one country, two systems” policy, the 20 major fields of national security, how to implement a comprehensive approach to national security, and the legislative background of the law for safeguarding national security.

During the launching ceremony, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said that the SAR government has launched national security education through various platforms and methods.

He said that the National Security Exhibition Gallery, launched in August, has attracted over 200,000 residents and 800 groups, reflecting the community’s support for national security education.

He said he hopes that through the program, national security education can be widely and effectively disseminated in the districts by the community instructors.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said that there are still various risks to national security. In addition to law enforcement by government departments, national security education, publicity and promotion are indispensable to create a positive atmosphere for the rule of law in society.

Tang said that the program provides a platform for national security education. He said he hopes that the tutors can make use of their network to disseminate awareness about national security, the importance of law compliance, and foster positive thinking.

Home and Youth Affairs Secretary Alice Mak Mei-kuen said at the same occasion that the tutors play an important role in publicizing and promoting national security, and encouraged them to work together to create a better future for Hong Kong.

Among the first batch of National Security Education District Tutors was Jennifer Chow Kit-bing, who said the program implemented national security education and publicity through practical actions rather than just as a formality.

Chow, who is the chairperson of District Fire Safety Committee in Wan Chai, said that she plans to organize a lecture for the committee members to publicize the national security information she learned, and hoped that they will further spread it to their families.

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Another newly appointed tutor, Michelle Lau, said that the half-day training was divided into three chapters, including knowledge on national security and important speeches and remarks of President Xi Jinping.

Lau said she found it useful to learn more about national security, and agreed on the importance of further strengthening the training of the tutors.

According to this year’s Policy Address, thematic exhibitions will be rolled out by the national security exhibition gallery to dovetail with the 10th National Security Education Day in 2025. The Education Bureau will also update the Curriculum framework of National Security Education.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com