Agency commissioner highlights youth education and international outreach

Editor’s note: The National Security Law for Hong Kong, enacted on June 30, 2020, has become a cornerstone of the city’s restored stability. As its fifth anniversary approaches, China Daily interviews key architects involved to explore the landmark legislation’s lasting influence on Hong Kong’s governance and society.

Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption has proactively incorporated national security issues into its training programs and exchange activities, as its commissioner said that “corruption is a covert tool for destabilization”.

In an interview in late May, Commissioner Danny Woo Ying-ming reaffirmed the ICAC’s commitment to combating corruption-linked threats to national security.

“As the agency dedicated to com bating corruption, the ICAC is unequivocally committed to rigorous enforcement. We will not tolerate any attempts to undermine national security through corrupt practices,” Woo said.

He added that national security concepts have become an integral part of the ICAC’s training programs and operations — including induction courses for recruits, promotion examinations, and ongoing exchanges with the organization’s Chinese mainland counterparts. These initiatives aim to deepen ICAC officers’ understanding of national strategies and security priorities.

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Woo reflected on the central government’s “holistic approach” to safeguarding national security, which encompasses 20 critical sectors, including traditional domains — such as political and military security — as well as emerging, nontraditional fields like space, deep-sea exploration, and artificial intelligence.

He warned that vulnerabilities in any single sector could create loopholes for lawbreakers to exploit security gaps — potentially through corrupt practices — to bypass oversight systems or recruit accomplice.

High credibility

Hong Kong remains one of the world’s most corruption-free cities, ranking 10th globally in the Absence of Corruption category of the 2024 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. The effectiveness of the city’s anticorruption efforts has received international recognition, which Woo believes can be leveraged to support the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

The ICAC actively engages with global antigraft networks. During routine exchanges and training programs, the ICAC counters foreign misinformation, clarifying Hong Kong’s robust legal environment under the “one country, two systems” principle.

It seeks to present a balanced view of Hong Kong’s current situation, and build global confidence in the city’s rule of law since the promulgation of the NSL.

Established in February 2024, the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption plays a key role in offering antigraft courses and training for local and international antigraft professionals.

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Woo said that inviting reputable overseas antigraft experts to teach at the academy helps showcase the reality of Hong Kong as a stable, orderly city that is protected by national security legislation.

The academy also strengthens corruption prevention capabilities of local institutions, including government departments and private organizations.

Beyond global outreach, Woo emphasized the critical role of public involvement, encouraging local residents to report any suspicious activities to the ICAC or other law enforcement agencies.

“As we’ve often emphasized, whenever vulnerabilities are identified through our enforcement actions, our corruption prevention and community relations departments immediately intervene with educational campaigns to address these gaps, aiming at strengthening institutional safeguards comprehensively.

“By systematically closing these loopholes, we work to elevate overall security standards across all sectors.”

The ICAC places a high priority on youth education through initiatives like the Ethical Leadership Programme, which seeks to raise aware ness among young people about national security and clean governance.

Woo believes these initiatives help young people better appreciate the benefits of living in a secure, corruption-free society, which in turn contributes to the society’s stability.

The ICAC is also tasked with enforcing the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, which upholds honesty and fairness in public elections.

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Woo highlighted the ICAC’s proactive measures to combat potential electoral misconduct ahead of the eighth-term Legislative Council elections, scheduled for Dec 7.

To raise public awareness, the ICAC has developed online resources such as the “Clean Election Law at a Glance” portal, providing videos and practical guidance covering voter registration, misleading statements, and reporting mechanisms.

ICAC officers are conducting briefings across all 18 districts through July to educate the public on electoral integrity. On polling day, the ICAC will mobilize officers to monitor voting stations, promptly investigating complaints and enforcing the law.

“Public elections are vital to Hong Kong’s prosperity and the steady implementation of ‘one country, two systems’,” Woo said. “We will enforce the law rigorously and without leniency.”

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com