HKSAR Government strongly condemns anti-China organisation CFHK Foundation for intimidating Central Government and HKSAR officials

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (March 10) strongly condemned anti-China organisation the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation for blatantly requesting the United States (US) to impose so-called "sanctions" on the officials of the Central Government and the HKSAR, in particular those taking part in the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, and smearing the Safeguarding National Security Bill (the Bill). The act of the CFHK Foundation may constitute the offence of "collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security" under Article 29 of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

     A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "The Bill is now under scrutiny of the Bills Committee of the Legislative Council. The CFHK Foundation attempted to collude with a foreign country or with external elements, and blatantly clamoured at this juncture for so-called 'sanctions' against dutiful officials of the Central and HKSAR governments with a view to intimidating them, completely ignoring the due legislative procedures of the HKSAR and fully demonstrating its despicable intention. The HKSAR Government strongly condemned the Foundation."

     The spokesman pointed out that wanted person Hui Wing-ting is a core member of the CFHK Foundation. The Foundation has initiated a number of anti-China campaigns, including requesting the imposition of so-called "sanctions" on officials of the Central and HKSAR governments as well as closure of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in the US. The Foundation's earlier claim emphasising that it was not anti-China is obviously untrue. Members of the public should discern facts from fallacies.

     The acts of the CFHK Foundation also demonstrated the necessity of the measures in the Bill proposing to target absconders charged with offences endangering national security, including the prohibition against making available funds to, or dealing with funds of, an absconder, as well as cancellation of HKSAR passport. Moreover, it is also necessary to protect persons handling cases or work concerning national security, enabling the relevant officers to handle work for safeguarding national security without worries, thereby buttressing and strengthening the enforcement forces for safeguarding security.

     "As a matter of fact, the Bill has stipulated that one of the fundamental principles in legislating for safeguarding national security is to respect and protect human rights. It expressly provides that the rights and freedoms enjoyed under the Basic Law and the provisions of the two international covenants on human rights as applied to the HKSAR, are to be protected in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government will continue to safeguard national security fearlessly and complete the legislative work as soon as possible. The earlier we complete the legislative work, the sooner we can guard against national security risks," the spokesman said.