Hong Kong to offer national security and patriotism courses to 2,600 trainees, host exhibits targeting 700,000 people each year

“Based on the sharing of the message on safeguarding national security with 30 persons by every trainee, the number of beneficiaries will be no fewer than 78,000,” the policy address wrote.

Lee also suggested setting up an exhibition gallery next year to “enhance the promotion of national security”, with a target attendance of no less than 100,000 in 2025.

Lee introduced key performance indicators, or KPIs, for his government bureaus and departments in his first policy address last year, saying they would enable the public to monitor policy progress and effectiveness.

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“The purpose of setting KPIs for specific policies is to establish a results-oriented culture and help departments coordinate and resolve difficulties through senior-level intervention when problems arise,” he said on Thursday.

“So far, results also demonstrate progress in terms of mobilisation speed and work effectiveness within the government.”

This year, Lee set 150 indicators, 77 of which were set in last year’s address and would remain effective into next year. The remaining 73 were new targets.

In strengthening patriotic education, Lee said the government would next year establish a museum dedicated to the Battle of Hong Kong during the second world war, part of a project to revamp the Museum of Coastal Defence in Shau Kei Wan.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will also be tasked with organising an exhibition featuring mainland China’s development and achievements, as well as more than 50 activities to promote Chinese culture and history, every year. The government has set an annual attendance target of 700,000 people.

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At least 50 schools will be required to participate in reviews of how they are implementing national education, while enrichment seminars on the topic will be held for about 2,000 principals and teachers.

Public broadcaster RTHK would be required to strengthen collaboration with its mainland counterparts to produce shows that can “foster the affection” for the country and expand its channel coverage to relay more programmes from state media China Media Group.

At a Legislative Council question and answer session on Thursday, Lee said only four of last year’s 110 indicators were not met, including the failure of the Civil Service Bureau to issue an updated version of the Civil Service Code.

“But this is because I asked them to conduct further research as there were views from the community, which resulted in their inability to submit it on time,” Lee said, adding the other delays were also due to more research needed.

Lee stressed the relevant policy bureaus were “not being lazy” and he did not want them to “pursue KPIs blindly”.

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The updated version of the code, originally scheduled to be released early this year, was postponed to the first quarter of next year to solicit opinions from civil servants.

While one of the concerns in the revision is whether the inclusion of the term “political neutrality” would remain, a source close to the matter said the term was “hyped and misunderstood” by some people in society even though there was nothing wrong with the wording itself.

The insider added the revised version was submitted to Lee last year and principles such as upholding national security had been added.

Other new targets included updating the development blueprint for the tourism industry next year, incentivising thematic local tours and subsidising MICE activities, referring to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, through the Tourism Board.

The cost of the patriotism drive was not disclosed.

The Post has asked the Security Bureau to clarify how the national security traineeship programme will operate.