China News Service, March 15. According to the official WeChat message of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, in response to U.S. Ambassador to China Burns's false comments on the legislation of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law in the media, as well as the attacks and smearing of the SAR by relevant agencies and individual members of the U.S. Congress legislation, slandering Hong Kong's human rights and rule of law, clamoring for the passage of Hong Kong-related sanctions bills, and gross interference in Hong Kong affairs. The spokesperson of the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, urging the United States to immediately stop its clumsy political performances.
The spokesperson emphasized that safeguarding national security is a common practice for all countries, and Western countries have established complete legal systems and enforcement mechanisms in safeguarding national security.
The 23-article legislation carried out by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region this time fully draws on the legislative experience of other countries, especially common law countries, and fully absorbs the current legal provisions that Hong Kong society is familiar with. It has achieved a balance between development and security, the maintenance of national security, and the protection of rights and freedoms. A good balance demonstrates the outstanding achievements of the rule of law civilization and the core values of Hong Kong's rule of law society.
For a very small number of people who endanger national security, this law is a hanging sword; for the vast majority of Hong Kong residents and foreign investors, this law is the "patron saint" that protects their rights and freedoms, property and investments.
The spokesperson pointed out that the U.S. national security legislation is rare in the world for its large number of national security legislation, strong enforcement efforts, wide extraterritorial effects, and frequent revisions and updates.
The United States has turned a deaf ear to the objective facts of its country's tight security laws and harsh penalties, but it has made irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong's performance of its constitutional responsibilities for national security legislation.
Some U.S. lawmakers and politicians turn a blind eye to the U.S.'s deplorable record of violating human rights and restricting freedom of speech and pretending to be deaf and dumb. However, they spare no effort to smear and label others with "undermining the rule of law" and "transnational suppression", and they frequently clamor for sanctions and pressure. This is Fully exposing their naked hypocrisy and double standards, narrow and stubborn ideological prejudice, deep-rooted hegemonic thinking and gangster logic.
The spokesperson reiterated that in the face of the historical trend of Hong Kong's transformation from chaos to governance and prosperity, the US's shameful plot to clamor for sanctions and cause chaos in Hong Kong is destined to fail.
No external interference or blackmail can shake the SAR's determination to firmly safeguard "one country, two systems" and national security, nor can it shake the foundation of Hong Kong's rule of law and the international community's confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law.
We urge the United States to abide by the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations, earnestly respect the spirit of the rule of law, and immediately stop political manipulation, interference and sabotage in Hong Kong affairs!