The Hong Kong SAR government strongly opposes and strongly opposes the UK's so-called "Hong Kong Half Year Report"
The Hong Kong SAR government expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the so-called "Hong Kong Half Year Report: January to June 2023" released by the UK on the 19th, which made false statements and smeared the situation of reshaping the District Council, safeguarding national security, and safeguarding human rights in the Hong Kong SAR.
A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government stated that the government is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the repeated use of British old tricks. Through the so-called semi annual report, it has overturned right and wrong and talked nonsense about Hong Kong affairs. Its strategy of governing with politics over the rule of law has long been exposed. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inseparable part of the People's Republic of China, a local administrative region that enjoys high autonomy under the "One Country, Two Systems" policy and is directly under the central government. The SAR government once again strongly urges the UK to recognize the facts, comply with international law and basic norms of international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs that are purely China's internal affairs.
The spokesperson stated that the SAR government strongly refutes the UK's erroneous understanding of reshaping district councils through the so-called report. The improved electoral system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides legal protection for the comprehensive implementation of the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong", ensuring that political power is in the hands of patriots, which is a universally accepted political principle. No country or region's people will allow political power to fall into the hands of unpatriotic or even traitorous individuals. Any person with a background who meets the requirements and specific standards of a patriot can participate in elections in accordance with the law and enter the governance structure of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after successful election, serving the citizens of Hong Kong.
The spokesperson emphasized that the SAR government is strongly dissatisfied with the fact that the UK has turned a blind eye to the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, which has restored the normal life and economic activities of Hong Kong citizens and the business environment. The recently passed National Security Act in the UK establishes modern espionage and foreign intervention crimes with extraterritorial effects, establishes a registration system for foreign activities and foreign influence, and grants law enforcement agencies broad powers to take preventive and investigative measures. The UK also maintains its own national security and has no right or qualification to defame the measures taken by the central and Hong Kong SAR governments to maintain national security.
In maintaining judicial fairness and the spirit of the rule of law, the spokesperson pointed out that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle of compliance with the law and accountability for violations. The Hong Kong judicial system is highly respected by the international community. The judicial organs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region independently exercise their judicial power in accordance with the law, and all individuals facing criminal charges have the right to a fair trial. The court strictly judges cases based on evidence and all applicable laws, and the handling of cases will not differ due to the profession, political beliefs, or background of the parties involved; The prosecution has the responsibility to prove the defendant's crime without any reasonable doubt, and only then can the defendant be convicted by the court.
In terms of safeguarding rights and freedoms, the spokesperson stated that Hong Kong residents enjoy the rights and freedoms protected by the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance, and other relevant laws. Furthermore, since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the media environment in Hong Kong has remained thriving. As always, the media can exercise their press freedom in accordance with the law.
The spokesperson reiterated that under the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, Hong Kong has a unique advantage of being backed by the motherland and connecting with the world, connecting the mainland and various parts of the world. It has great potential and unlimited glory in the new era and journey. With the shift of the world economic center to the east, the mainland and numerous rapidly growing economies in the region will become the main engines and sources of business opportunities for global economic growth. Hong Kong will continue to benefit from this trend, fully leveraging its role as a gateway and intermediary, and thus obtaining enormous development opportunities. With the strong support of the state and the broad development space brought by national strategies such as the "14th Five Year Plan", the construction of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, and the high-quality development of the "the Belt and Road", Hong Kong's business environment will surely have unlimited business opportunities. The SAR government will continue to make every effort to enhance its development momentum, better integrate "promising government" and "efficient market", actively attract investment and talent, enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness, and promote Hong Kong's steady progress in a new stage of governance and development, opening up new opportunities and achieving new leaps.
