The Boys' Brigade, Hong Kong has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (August 3), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.
 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods for the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
 
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     â€‹Noting that the United States (US) House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, who is on a visit to Asia, has arrived in Taiwan yesterday evening (August 2), the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government expressed strong opposition to the US ignoring the firm position repeatedly stated by the People's Republic of China and going ahead with the visit to Taiwan.
     
     The Preamble of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China clearly stipulates that Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China. For a US politician to go ahead with a visit to Taiwan is an act that attempts to challenge the sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity of the country.

     It is obvious that safeguarding national security falls within the internal affairs of every sovereign state. The arbitrary and unreasonable bullying act by the US House Speaker has seriously violated international norms and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs.

     It is the common responsibility of all the people of China, including the people of Hong Kong, to safeguard the sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns any acts that challenge the sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity of the country.

     In response to the visit by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, issued the following statement today (August 3):
 
     The Constitution of the People's Republic of China is the most fundamental law of the state, forming the most important part of the constitutional order of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The Preamble of the Constitution clearly states, "Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China. It is the sacred duty of all the Chinese people, including our fellow Chinese in Taiwan, to achieve the great reunification of the motherland."
 
     Taiwan and the HKSAR are both inalienable parts of the People's Republic of China. We are outraged by, and condemn, Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which constitutes an attempt to obstruct the great reunification of the motherland.

     â€‹The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, expressed his firm opposition to and strong condemnation on the visit to Taiwan by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, Nancy Pelosi, yesterday evening (August 2). He expressed strong support for the country to take resolute and effective measures to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and core interests.

     Mr Chan said Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's sacred territory. The country's stand on the Taiwan issue has long been very clear: the Taiwan issue is China's internal affairs, which subjects to no interference by any outside forces. The act of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States has grossly prejudiced China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and violated the one-China principle and the three Sino-US Joint Communiques. It has breached trust, and seriously damaged Sino-US relations and caused severe adverse political consequences. 

     Mr Chan said the United States is at present faced with high inflation, severe racial discrimination and hostilities, and huge wealth inequality. That the United States government and politicians do not focus on dealing with their internal problems but seek to play up the Taiwan issue is an attempt to divert attention, and a heinous move to cover their acute conflicts at home. 

     Mr Chan added, "With the global economic environment facing uncertainties and geopolitical tensions rising high amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United States' irresponsible and reckless provocation would intensify tensions in the region, and bring greater volatility and instability to financial and asset markets around the world, thus impacting on the already highly fragile global economy. It is despicable and will have dire consequences. The United States has gained substantial economic benefits in China, but at the same time seeks to supress our country's development by creating troubles on the Taiwan issue and intensifying conflicts. It will end up reaping the consequences. We firmly oppose any interference of our country's internal affairs by outside forces, and stand firm in safeguarding our country's sovereignty, security, core interests as well as national dignity. We strongly condemn the irresponsible provocations by the United States!"

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, expressed on August 2 his firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the visit to Taiwan made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States (US), Nancy Pelosi, who overtly ignored the serious concern and firm opposition that the Central Government has repeatedly made clear.

     Mr Chan said that the one-China principle, with an unshakeable de facto and de jure basis, is a widely recognised norm governing international relations and an overwhelming consensus of the international community. Despite its claim about upholding all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity, the US has been backtracking on the Taiwan question. The visit to Taiwan wantonly made by Nancy Pelosi has trampled on the one-China principle. It has not only disregarded the upholding of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but has also seriously undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and constituted a gross interference in the country's internal affairs.

     Mr Chan condemned any act that challenges China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He will lead the bureaux and departments under his purview to fully support and facilitate the country in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely handle Taiwan-related matters in accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the one-China principle, and the Basic Principles and Policies of the Central Government regarding the Handling of Taiwan-related Matters in Hong Kong.