China News Service, Hong Kong, March 1: In response to the US Consul General in Hong Kong, Merrill Lynch, he attacked and smeared Hong Kong's National Security Law and Article 23 legislation in the media, denigrated Hong Kong's business environment and rights and freedoms, incited US-funded companies to divest and leave Hong Kong, and grossly interfered. China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs, a spokesman for the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong) expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition and severe condemnation.
The spokesperson emphasized that the implementation of Hong Kong's national security law effectively prevents and punishes illegal activities that endanger national security and effectively protects Hong Kong's investment and business environment. Hong Kong remains a hot spot for corporate investment, a favored place for capital and a gathering place for talents.
The 23-article legislation will further strengthen the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's defense line in safeguarding national security, further enhance the stability of Hong Kong society and the certainty of the rule of law, and further leverage Hong Kong's unique status and advantages. Hong Kong will achieve higher levels of security under a higher level of security. Quality development and higher levels of openness.
The spokesperson pointed out that both the Hong Kong National Security Law and Article 23 legislation emphasize respecting and protecting human rights and protecting the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant international conventions applicable to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The Article 23 legislative consultation document also emphasizes that the concerns of the Hong Kong public and foreign communities living, doing business or investing in Hong Kong will be taken into account, the unique advantages and status of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will be maintained, and normal international exchange activities will be carried out smoothly in Hong Kong.
The spokesperson pointed out that Mei Ruui ignored the strong public opinion from all walks of life in Hong Kong to support the completion of Article 23 legislation as soon as possible, ignored the fact that Hong Kong’s investment and business environment continued to improve, made irresponsible remarks in the media, and interfered with the SAR’s performance of safeguarding national security. It interferes with the judicial organs of the SAR in the legal trial of national security cases such as the Jimmy Lai case, seriously deviates from the basic professional ethics and codes of conduct of consular officials, and provides another ironclad evidence that the United States interferes in Hong Kong affairs and undermines Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.
The United States' own human rights record is full of misdeeds. The disparity between rich and poor, racial discrimination, proliferation of guns, violent law enforcement and other phenomena are getting worse. The human rights and freedoms of the American people have been further eroded.
The United States' own national security legal system is airtight, and it has always severely punished behaviors that endanger national security. It has long carried out pervasive surveillance and network surveillance on other countries and even allies in the name of "national interests."
On the other hand, it has made unbridled accusations against Article 23 of the legislation and slandered the SAR's legal trial of national security cases, fully exposing its typical hypocritical double standards and gangster logic.
The spokesman said, "Being prepared is the way of the country."
National security legislation is the "anchor of stability", "source of prosperity" and "foundation" of Hong Kong. The Article 23 legislation is a legitimate and necessary move that was overdue for 26 years. It is the constitutional responsibility of the SAR government, the will of public opinion and the general trend.
The spokesperson said that we urge the United States to respect China's sovereignty, abide by the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations, immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs.
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