China News Service, Hong Kong, August 7th. The US Consulate General in Hong Kong issued a statement on the 7th, erroneously and inappropriately commenting on the "National Security Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China" (Hong Kong National Security Law) affecting the freedom of speech of Hong Kong citizens. Hong Kong The SAR government expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition to the relevant statement.
A spokesperson for the SAR government stated that it is an international practice to pass laws to safeguard national security. Every country has laws to safeguard its national security and sovereignty, which is also its responsibility. As far as the United States is concerned, there are at least 20 laws to safeguard national security and sovereignty, including the National Security Act (National Security Act), the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act) and so on. The US’s inappropriate comments on Hong Kong’s National Security Law are entirely a double-standard political operation and grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs and seriously violated the basic norms of international relations. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government strongly opposes this.
The spokesperson pointed out that the Hong Kong National Security Law will not change the capitalist system, the high degree of autonomy, and the legal system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The administrative power, legislative power, independent judicial power, and the power of final adjudication will not change. Will not be affected.
The spokesman also stated that the Hong Kong National Security Law will not affect the legitimate exercise of freedom of speech by Hong Kong residents, including criticizing government policies or officials’ policies and decisions, nor will it affect freedom of information, academic freedom, policy research, personal data privacy, and general Business activities.
The spokesperson emphasized that Hong Kong is a highly international city with close contacts and ties with other countries, regions and related international organizations. These normal exchanges are protected by the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and local laws of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong National Security Law regulates the use of Hong Kong by foreign countries and foreign forces to carry out splitting, subverting, infiltrating, and sabotage activities. This is clearly different from normal exchange activities. The National Security Law of Hong Kong has clearly defined the specific constitutions of the crime of colluding with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security. It will not cause ordinary citizens to fall into the law net by mistake, nor will it affect the legal rights and freedoms enjoyed by citizens in accordance with the law. However, the SAR government will seriously deal with criminal acts that really involve the crime of colluding with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security. (Finish)