HONG KONG – The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the SAR government have strongly condemned slanders and smears against various aspects of the city in the so-called six-monthly report of the United Kingdom on the SAR.
Both the office and the SAR government strongly demanded the UK immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs.
The report attacked and smeared "one country, two systems" and grossly interfered with the judiciary and the rule of law of the HKSAR, a spokesperson for the office said on Monday, which marked the ninth National Security Education Day in China.
The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong after its return to the motherland.
Spokesman, HKSAR Govt
The spokesperson said the national security law in Hong Kong and the improved electoral system have enabled Hong Kong to enter a new stage in which it has restored order and is set to thrive.
The recently enacted Safeguarding National Security Ordinance consolidated the national security guarantee, provided better protection for the legitimate rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people, and created a business environment for foreign investors that is safer, more stable and more efficient. No bad-mouthing or smears from Britain can change these facts, the spokesperson said.
The administrative and judicial organs of the HKSAR have ensured strict law enforcement and impartial administration of justice, reminding Britain of the fact that it has no sovereignty, jurisdiction, or right of "supervision" over Hong Kong, added the spokesperson.
Stressing that Hong Kong will advance in an unstoppable manner on its development path in the new era, the spokesperson urged Britain to let go of its colonial arrogance and domineering mentality.
HK inalienable part of China
Underscoring that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China, a government spokesman said on Tuesday that as a local administrative region, the SAR enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the principle of 'one country, two systems' and comes directly under the jurisdiction of the central people's government.
“The core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is about China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It did not authorize the UK to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs after its return to the motherland,” said the spokesman.
“The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong after its return to the motherland.”
Pointing out the UK’s skewed remarks about Hong Kong “by replacing the rule of law with political manipulation and confounding right and wrong”, the government spokesman said the UK's attempt to undermine the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong is doomed to fail.
The HKSAR government will resolutely and fully implement relevant laws including the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to effectively prevent, suppress, and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, while maintaining the common law system, adhering to the principle of the rule of law and upholding the rights and freedoms of the city’s people in accordance with the law, the spokesman added.
