The Civil Service Bureau has launched a video talk to strengthen civil servants' awareness of safeguarding national security, as April 15 marks the first National Security Education Day after the implementation of the National Security Law.

The talk, delivered by Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Deputy Director Deng Zhonghua, covers the necessity, urgency and legitimacy of the enactment of the National Security Law, its legislative intent and purpose as well as major institutional designs under it.

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip emailed permanent secretaries and department heads today to encourage civil service colleagues to watch the talk to gain a more thorough understanding of the National Security Law.

Bureaus and departments will make arrangements for civil servants reaching Master Pay Scale Point 14 or above or equivalent, and joining the Government on or after July 1, 2018 to view the talk as part of the induction training.

"The civil service is the backbone of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. I expect all civil servant colleagues, particularly the new recruits, to have a correct understanding of the National Security Law and an enhanced awareness of safeguarding national security, and to act in accord fully with the Hong Kong SAR Government in discharging its duty of safeguarding national security," Mr Nip said.