Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, June 26 (Reporter Zhou Wenqi) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on the 26th expressed strong opposition to the passage of the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" by the US Senate. A spokesman for the SAR Government pointed out that the SAR Government urged the US Congress to immediately stop interfering in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong SAR. The SAR Government cannot accept the bill and the so-called "sanctions" at all. The relevant actions of the US side will only damage the relationship and common interests between Hong Kong and the United States.
The spokesman said that how to implement the "one country, two systems" principle in the Hong Kong SAR is entirely China's internal affairs, and no other country has the right to intervene.
The spokesman emphasized that since the reunification, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has strictly implemented the "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 principle of "one country, two systems" has been fully and successfully implemented. The SAR Government will continue to unswervingly implement the "one country, two systems" principle in accordance with Hong Kong's Basic Law. Many of the comments made by the US Congress on Hong Kong affairs mentioned in the "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" are seriously misleading and even more groundless.
Regarding the prosecution of persons involved in illegal demonstrations, the spokesman said that Hong Kong has a sound and fair criminal justice system. Article 63 of the Hong Kong Basic Law stipulates that the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be in charge of criminal prosecutions without any interference. Prosecutors of the Department of Justice have been performing this constitutional responsibility independently and professionally. Prosecution decisions are based on admissible and reliable evidence and applicable laws for objective analysis, and are made in strict accordance with the public "Prosecution Code". Cases will not be handled differently due to the political concepts, appeals, or background of the persons involved.
"Under the Hong Kong Basic Law, Hong Kong citizens enjoy a wide range of rights and freedoms. Article 4 of the Hong Kong Basic Law provides that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall protect the rights and freedoms of residents and others of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law. In addition to the Hong Kong Basic Law, human rights and freedoms are in Hong Kong It is also fully protected by the "Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance" and other laws." The spokesman said.
Regarding the roles of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Hong Kong Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the spokesman pointed out that the Hong Kong and Macau Office of the State Council and the Hong Kong Liaison Office represent the Central People's Government. According to Article 12 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is directly under the Central People’s Government. These two departments have the power and responsibility to ensure that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region correctly implements the Hong Kong Basic Law and "One Country, Two Systems". There is no interference in their own affairs under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The spokesman emphasized that the so-called "sanctions" in the bill have no legal effect on Hong Kong's financial institutions. The SAR Government urges the US to act responsibly and avoid actions that may affect the normal operation of financial institutions and many customers.