China News Service, Hong Kong, March 1 (Xinhua) The Hong Kong SAR government expressed strong dissatisfaction and condemnation on March 1 over the alarmist remarks made by the US Consul General in Hong Kong, Mel Ruray.
A spokesman for the HKSAR government pointed out that the law enforcement agencies of the Hong Kong SAR have always taken law enforcement actions based on evidence, strictly in accordance with the law, and based on the behavior of the relevant people or units, regardless of their political stance, background or occupation.
Proposing that certain individuals or organizations should not be subject to legal sanctions for their illegal acts, including illegal acts of colluding with foreign countries or external forces, is equivalent to giving them criminal privileges, which completely violates the spirit of the rule of law.
The spokesman continued that under the protection of Hong Kong's Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all persons facing criminal charges have the right to a fair trial by the judicial authorities.
The Hong Kong SAR courts conduct trials independently without any interference.
The U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong made unreasonable comments on the ongoing criminal trial in the Hong Kong SAR courts, and even attempted to compare Jimmy Lai’s case with the SAR government’s measures to promote the Hong Kong SAR. This is not only extremely inappropriate, but also ignores the spirit of the rule of law.
The spokesperson said that every country will enact laws to safeguard national security, which is not only the inherent right of a sovereign country, but also international practice.
The U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong also insists on ignoring the Hong Kong SAR’s constitutional responsibilities and practical needs for the legislation of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, and arbitrarily smearing the legislation of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law and the law enforcement actions carried out in accordance with the law. This is inconsistent with his stated hope of a better relationship with Hong Kong. The relationship is completely opposite.
The spokesperson stressed that the implementation of Hong Kong's National Security Law and the legislation of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law are to ensure that national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity are maintained, and that the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy are fully and accurately implemented, and Better protect the basic rights and freedoms of Hong Kong SAR residents and other people in the Hong Kong SAR, including those doing business in Hong Kong.
The relevant legislation will not affect the normal exchanges between Hong Kong residents and people doing business in the Hong Kong SAR and foreign countries.
These legitimate exchanges are protected by the Basic Law of Hong Kong and the local laws of the Hong Kong SAR.
The United States should immediately return to the right track, stop making irresponsible remarks on the legislation of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Hong Kong SAR's work to safeguard national security, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs that are China's internal affairs.
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