The Liaison Office of the Central Committee of Hong Kong: The authority of the National Security Law cannot be challenged by anyone and cannot override the rule of law

The Liaison Office of the Central Committee of Hong Kong declares: The authority of the National Security Law cannot be challenged by anyone and cannot override the rule of law

　　The Central People’s Government’s Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region issued a statement on June 17 stating that the Hong Kong police today arrested five directors of the “Apple Daily” on suspicion of “conspiring to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security”. The Government Security Bureau has frozen the assets of three companies including Apple Daily Co., Ltd. in accordance with the law.

We firmly support the just actions of the SAR government and the police to strictly enforce the law, and firmly support all efforts to maintain national security and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

　　The statement emphasized that the Basic Law guarantees that Hong Kong residents enjoy the freedom of speech, news, and press, but any right and freedom are not borderless and cannot break through the bottom line of national security. This is also the express provisions of relevant international conventions and the general practice of laws in various countries.

Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law. Everyone is equal before the law. There is no exception, including media organizations. Freedom of the press is not a "shield" for illegal activities.

Anyone who violates the Hong Kong National Security Law and related laws will be severely punished by the law, regardless of his professional status and background, regardless of the support behind him.