This undated photo shows the Central Government Offices in Tamar, Hong Kong. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s government on Friday strongly rejected allegations against the Hong Kong government made by foreign countries through various reports, describing such allegations as “unfounded and ridiculous”.

The HKSAR government’s response came after the release of the so-called “six-monthly report” on Hong Kong from July to December 2021 by the United Kingdom and the “2022 Hong Kong Policy Act Report” by the United States respectively on Thursday.

We strongly oppose the unfounded and ridiculous allegations against the HKSAR government made by foreign countries through various reports.

Spokesperson, HKSAR

“We strongly oppose the unfounded and ridiculous allegations against the HKSAR government made by foreign countries through various reports,” a spokesperson for the HKSAR said in a statement.

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“The HKSAR government urges foreign countries to stop interfering into the internal affairs of China through Hong Kong affairs.”

In the statement, the spokesperson gave a point-by-point rebuttal of claims in the reports regarding Hong Kong’s Legislative Council election, National Security Law, judicial independence and press freedom.

The spokesperson said the 2021 Legislative Council General Election, held after the improvements to the electoral system of the HKSAR, fully implements the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. Accusations against the poll were “misleading”, the statement read.

“With over 1.3 million voters cast their ballots to elect 90 members from 153 candidates of different backgrounds and political views, it manifests the broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition of the new electoral system,” the statement read.

The election was conducted in accordance with the law, and was open, fair, honest and efficient, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said chaos stopped and stability has been restored in Hong Kong after the implementation of the NSL in June 2020.

The spokesperson said the freedoms of the press and speech are both protected under the Basic Law and the media landscape in the financial hub is “as vibrant as ever”

The security law ensures the resolute, full and faithful implementation of the policy of “one country, two systems” under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, and the legitimate rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law are well-protected, according to the statement.

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The statement goes on to say that judicial independence in Hong Kong after the implementation of the NSL remains robust as ever.

It is stressed that while judges from other common law jurisdictions are invited to serve as non-permanent judges at the Court of Final Appeal, their departure “will not in any way affect our commitment to the rule of law and judicial independence.”

The spokesperson said the freedoms of the press and speech are both protected under the Basic Law and the media landscape in the financial hub is “as vibrant as ever”.

Currently, a total of 211 media organizations based locally, on the mainland, or overseas are registered with the HKSAR government, showing an increase after the implementation of the NSL, the spokesperson added.