Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying has said pro-Beijing politicians in the city lacked the “fighting spirit” to combat opposition activists spreading harmful views online after moving overseas and they continued to sway young people’s views on national security.

Leung, also a vice-chairman of China’s top political advisory body, made the remarks in an interview televised on Saturday after Beijing’s top official for local affairs called on residents to remain vigilant over threats to national security.

“Even with the [national security] law, there remains the question of action,” Leung said. “Politically, we must expose words and deeds that endanger national security in a targeted manner. We need to have the fighting spirit and action.”