Newly Appointed Hong Kong Civil Servants Take Oath of Basic Law and Allegiance Pledge

Hong Kong National Security Law Enforced Abruptly in One Day, Civil Servants and Public Office Election Candidates Also
Chinese State Media Drives Public Opinion with Poll Results and More

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 9th (local time) that newly appointed Hong Kong civil servants must take an oath and pledge allegiance to abide by the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong Basic Law.

Previously, this applied only to senior civil servants and judiciary staff, but with the sudden enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law on July 1, it now applies to all Hong Kong civil servants. SCMP also reported that those running for Hong Kong public office elections must take the oath and pledge.

In response, opposition lawmakers in Hong Kong expressed concerns that this measure would force civil servants to live in an era of 'white terror.' Not only Hong Kong citizens but also civil servants are entering a white terror era similar to that of Taiwan in the past. The Taiwan white terror era refers to the martial law period from May 20, 1949, to July 15, 1987.

The Hong Kong Civil Servants Union expressed concerns, stating, "The oath and pledge will have a significant impact on individuals' political expression."

The Chinese and Hong Kong governments are showing a strong determination to swiftly establish the National Security Law. The "Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," an organization overseeing and guiding the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, officially launched on the 8th. The Office for Safeguarding National Security has jurisdiction over the Hong Kong National Security Law in cases of serious situations where foreign forces have intervened, where the Hong Kong government cannot effectively enforce the law, or where there is a significant threat to national security.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency has launched a public opinion campaign by reporting on a survey conducted among Hong Kong citizens.

According to Xinhua News Agency, 66% of respondents said they "strongly support" or "support" the enforcement of the National Security Law, the highest proportion. Additionally, 80% of people responded that the implementation of the National Security Law does not have a negative impact on Hong Kong. Sixty-three percent of survey participants supported the establishment of the Office for Safeguarding National Security.

This public opinion survey was conducted by the pro-China polling agency Hong Kong Research Association from the 2nd to the 5th, targeting 1,097 Hong Kong residents aged 18 and over.

The People's Daily warned that a system for enforcing the National Security Law is being established and that there is no longer a refuge for anti-government forces. The newspaper emphasized that the central government's determination and law enforcement capabilities for national security should not be underestimated.