Chief Executive John Lee on Saturday said Hong Kong would take a “new leap forward” by fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security while seizing new opportunities by leveraging on its strong internal connections with the mainland, as well as its ties to the international community.

Speaking at a national security forum, Lee said the “colour revolution” of 2019 had brought great harm to the city, but the implementation of the National Security Law five years ago had successfully restored order.

It is this return to stability, and then prosperity, he said, that has enabled the SAR to claim top position as the world’s freest economy, and count itself among the globe’s most competitive and safest cities.

The Chief Executive said the territory must firmly safeguard national security as it strives for high-quality development.

“With security, there's stability and stability promotes development. So we must continue to safeguard national security.

“At the same time we must seize upon the opportunities presented by our stability, and we must spare no effort in developing the economy and improving people's livelihood,” Lee said.

“We must cherish what we have and grasp development opportunities. We now enjoy stability and it's hard to come by,” he added.

Lee said the SAR will continue fulfilling its role as a “super connector” and “super value adder”, and work to attract more mainland and foreign enterprises to invest in the city.

“We will enhance our traditional advantages. We must focus on making breakthroughs and be innovative,” Lee said. “We must further consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international financial, trade and shipping centre.”

Lee also said the government will also “make bold moves” to get rid of outdated policies, while it moves to expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park.

The Chief Executive warned that while the international landscape is fluid and complex, with geopolitical risks increasing, Hong Kong will continue its development and reform under One Country, Two Systems, and the protection afforded by the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.