China News Agency, Hong Kong, June 12-In response to the so-called "Hong Kong Semi-annual Report" (July-December 2019) published by the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Affairs, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responded on the 12th that the SAR Government reiterated its unwavering determination In accordance with the "Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China" (Hong Kong Basic Law), the policy of "one country, two systems" was implemented, and the report's untrue and biased comments on national security legislation and the high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong were strongly opposed and deeply regretted.

  According to the news of the Information Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on the same day, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said that since the reunification, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has maintained prosperity and stability under the "one country, two systems" principle, and has implemented "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the provisions of the Hong Kong Basic Law.

  The spokesman pointed out that the report stated that the central government directly enacted laws to safeguard national security for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which is inconsistent with Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law. This is absolutely wrong and totally unfounded. According to Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is authorized to enact the National Security Law. However, this does not affect the power of the central government to maintain national security legislation at the national level. National security belongs to the central authority and is not within the autonomy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In view of the current situation in Hong Kong and the difficulties faced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the foreseeable future, the Central Government has the power and responsibility to formulate national laws to improve the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s legal system and national security from the national level. Implementation mechanism.

  The spokesman said that the National Security Law is conducive to protecting the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, restores stability to Hong Kong, safeguards Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity, and maintains long-term stability. Any claim that this law will harm the freedom of Hong Kong people and weaken "one country, two systems" is alarmist and out of nothing.

  The spokesman emphasized that the National Security Law absolutely does not undermine "one country, two systems", will not change the administrative power, legislative power, independent judicial power and final adjudication power enjoyed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, nor will it affect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law. On the contrary, the National Security Law will create conditions for long-term peace and stability, consolidate the successful practice of "one country, two systems", and ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

  The spokesman also added that Hong Kong has a stable and fair criminal justice system, a sound legal system and rule of law tradition, an independent judicial body, and the common law system familiar to the international business community. The SAR Government has always been committed to safeguarding the rule of law and judicial independence of Hong Kong. Over the years, it has been affirmed by relevant reports from different international ranking agencies.

  The spokesman reiterated that foreign governments, parliaments and politicians should not interfere in any way in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (Finish)