Nip was responding on the matter that knowledge of national security law will be included in a Basic Law test that all applicants must take before taking up the jobs of civil servant.

Speaking on radio program on Saturday morning, Nip said the number of people applying for civil servant positions usually drops when there is something big going on in the city, giving examples of the social unrest, the pandemic, the national security law and electoral changes imposed by China.

Nip predicted the number will drop in the future. But it will rise later, he pointed out.

He also cited data that only around 9,700 people applied for administrative officer positions this year, marking a decrease when compared to 14,000 applicants recorded last year. As for executive officer positions, the number of applicants declined by around 30 percent as well.

Nip said civil servants have been performing their duties according to established instructions and law, but they are not so sensitive on safeguarding national security.

He added apart from professionalism and efficiency, awareness on safeguarding national security will be a focus in future promotion and appointment.