The Hong Kong SAR Government Severely Condemns and Resolutely Opposes the U.S. Consul General's Statement in Hong Kong

　　China News Agency, Hong Kong, January 26. The US Consul General in Hong Kong, Mel Rurui, recently attended a seminar held by a US think tank and made false remarks and smears on the Hong Kong National Security Law and the rule of law, rights and freedoms in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In this regard, the Hong Kong SAR government issued a statement of more than 2,700 words on the 26th to severely condemn it, and expressed its firm opposition to any biased comments on the SAR government's work to maintain national security.

　　Regarding the false and unreasonable accusations made by May Rurui on the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the spokesperson of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government directly denounced it as "purely making trouble out of nothing and scaremongering."

　　The spokesman said that the rampant "black violence" in 2019 caused serious damage to Hong Kong's society, economy and business environment, and greatly damaged the interests of enterprises in Hong Kong.

Instead of pointing out these acts of lawlessness, endangering social peace, and endangering the governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the US government and politicians have been repeating their old tricks since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law in June 2020, using different events, occasions, and excuses to defame Hong Kong. The National Security Law is an indiscriminate attack on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which implements the Hong Kong National Security Law in a responsible, loyal and lawful manner.

"It can be seen from this that the arbitrariness of the US government and politicians has been fully exposed."

　　Regarding the interpretation of the law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the spokesperson pointed out that the interpretation of the law is an important part of the principle of "one country, two systems" and embodies the principle of the rule of law.

This interpretation does not directly deal with specific judicial cases, but clarifies the meaning of the relevant legal provisions and the basis for applying the law. There is absolutely no problem of undermining the independent and final adjudication rights of Hong Kong courts guaranteed by the Basic Law.

　　The spokesman said that national defense, foreign affairs and national security issues are all within the purview of the central government.

Based on the nature of national security affairs, administrative agencies are in a far better position than the courts to make appropriate judgments. Therefore, the courts will respect the judgments of administrative agencies on national security affairs. This principle is also the principle of maintaining national security around the world, including the United States. general rules.

It must be pointed out that the certificate issued by the Chief Executive is only to provide the court with a binding determination in accordance with the law, and it does not replace the court in handling other disputes in the lawsuit, nor does it replace the court in adjudicating the case.

　　With regard to the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the spokesperson reiterated that the US initiative that "persons, institutions or organizations of a certain background should not be subject to legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities" is equivalent to giving them criminal privileges, which completely violates the spirit of the rule of law.

The SAR government firmly safeguards the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong citizens protected by law.

The relevant rights and freedoms are not absolute, as stated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Institutions, organizations and individuals claiming to be journalists, like other institutions, organizations and individuals, have a responsibility to obey all laws, including criminal laws.

　　The spokesperson also refuted the relevant remarks from the aspects of the cooperation between the United States and Hong Kong raised by Megrui and Hong Kong's economic prospects.

　　"The SAR government once again strongly urges the U.S. government to immediately stop actions that do not comply with international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in the affairs of the Hong Kong SAR," the spokesman said.