US CONSUL'S REMARKS REJECTED

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly deplored and opposed the biased remarks about the situation in the Hong Kong SAR made by US Consul General to Hong Kong Gregory May at a forum recently held by a US think tank.

It also rejected Mr May’s slanders and smears against the city’s work in safeguarding national security at the same event.

In a statement tonight, the Hong Kong SAR Government strongly demanded that the US immediately stop acting against international law and basic norms of international relations as well as interfering in the Hong Kong SAR’s affairs.

It also urged the US to discern the fact that the National Security Law (NSL) has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community at large to resume as normal.

The statement said the US side has ignored the “colour revolution” that occurred in Hong Kong in 2019 as well as the fact that it is an international practice and an inherent right and responsibility for a sovereign state to enact laws safeguarding national security.

It pointed out that the NSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance are precisely for safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and ensuring the full and faithful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems” under which Hong Kong people administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy.

These laws also better safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong SAR residents and other people in the city.

Noting that the US blatantly attacked the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security dutifully, faithfully and in accordance with the law, the Hong Kong SAR Government said such positions fully exposed the US' double standards.

It made it clear that the relevant laws have set out clear definitions and criminal elements which will not affect regular exchanges between Hong Kong residents and people here for business with foreign countries.

These normal interactions and business activities, it added, are protected by the Basic Law and the local laws of the city, and cannot be confused with acts and activities endangering national security.

The statement also emphasised the legitimacy and necessity of the Hong Kong SAR law enforcement agencies’ move to release the information of fugitive offenders who have allegedly committed serious offences and are wanted, and to appeal for the public's assistance in bringing fugitive offenders to justice. Furthermore, such actions are also squarely in line with international practice.

The Hong Kong SAR Government noted that the US side on one hand claimed that it wished to “stabilise the relationship”, but on the other hand, it frequently smeared the law enforcement actions conducted by the Hong Kong SAR in accordance with the law.

The US’ suggestion that certain people should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities is totally contrary to the spirit of the rule of law, it added.

Regarding the Court of Appeal’s recent granting of an interim injunction concerning specified criminal acts in relation to a song, the Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that it has acted in accordance with the law and applied to the court for an injunction for discharging its constitutional duty to safeguard national security by effectively preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment on acts or activities endangering national security.

The statement said the injunction targets four acts which already constitute criminal offences, does not affect lawful and legitimate activities conducted for purposes such as academic activity and news activity, and will not stifle the free flow of information.

As for Mr May’s mention of the economic and trade co-operation and people-to-people exchanges between Hong Kong and the US, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the US should take concrete actions to stop all wrongdoing that undermines Hong Kong-US economic and trade relations, and make efforts to foster mutual benefits between the two places.

It stressed that with a comprehensive legal system in safeguarding national security, Hong Kong can move forward without worries or burden, fully focusing on pursuing economic growth, advancing development, improving people’s livelihood and bringing fulfilment to the people, with a view to creating a more prosperous and better home together.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said it will continue to ensure the successful implementation of the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy, so as to better serve Hong Kong citizens and foster the city’s development.

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