The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (July 12) strongly opposes and condemns the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) for misleading the public again by making despicable smears against the HKSAR for faithfully implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) to, in according with the law, prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, under the pretexts of the so-called "foreign travel advice" and "national emergency" respectively.
A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "As a highly international city, Hong Kong has frequent exchanges and close liaison with other countries, regions and relevant international organisations. Such normal exchange activities are protected by the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong. What the NSL regulates is the use of Hong Kong by foreign countries or external elements to carry out acts and activities endangering national security, which is obviously different from normal exchange activities."
"The NSL has provided clear definition to the specific elements of four categories of offences – namely secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. No one, including tourists, will unwittingly breach the Law. The UK has manipulated its foreign travel advice system into a political instrument, creating the illusion that all tourists coming to Hong Kong will be regarded as culprits endangering national security, thereby affecting normal travel. Such action bears ulterior motives, and is extremely appalling and irresponsible," the spokesman said.
"The US has blatantly and repeatedly breached the international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations, and wantonly interfered with the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong matters by extending again the so-called 'national emergency with respect to Hong Kong'. Such act is arbitrary and unreasonable. The US has time and again made skewed remarks about Hong Kong's situation and imposed the so-called 'sanctions' on Hong Kong pursuant to its domestic law, attempting to interfere with Hong Kong's law-based governance and undermine the city's rule of law as well as its prosperity and stability. Their despicable plots are doomed to fail. The HKSAR Government despises the so-called 'national emergency with respect to Hong Kong' and 'sanctions' and shall not be intimidated. The HKSAR Government will continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security."
"The scope of application of the NSL fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. Such practice is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world. There are also numerous examples of extraterritorial application in the national security laws of other countries, including the UK and the US. These countries make fact-twisting remarks against the extraterritorial application of the NSL while deliberately ignoring that of their own laws. It not only once again shows their double standards to the whole world, but also exposes their intention to put politics above everything," the spokesman continued.
"Endangering national security is a very serious offence. No country will watch with folded arms acts and activities that endanger national security. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The persons involved in the actions by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force (NSD) have fled overseas and are alleged to have continued to commit offences under the NSL that seriously endanger national security. The actions by the NSD are reasonable, rational and legal," the spokesman said.
"The NSL has swiftly and effectively restored stability and security, as well as the enjoyment of rights and freedoms which Hong Kong residents had been unable to enjoy during the period of serious violence and the Hong Kong version of 'colour revolution' between June 2019 and early 2020. The HKSAR Government solemnly urges the US and the UK to discern fact from fallacy, immediately stop smearing and making skewed remarks regarding the implementation of the NSL and other situations in the HKSAR, and immediately refrain from interfering with the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong matters," the spokesman reiterated.
"The HKSAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully implements the top priority of the principle of 'one country, two systems'. The HKSAR Government will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the NSL and further improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms of the HKSAR to safeguard national security, with a view to, in accordance with the law, preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for acts and activities endangering national security. The Government will also protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'," the spokesman said.
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