In response to protesters' march to the United States (U.S.) Consulate General Hong Kong yesterday (September 8) appealing for the passage of the "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act" (the Act) by Members of the U.S. Congress, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government expresses regret over the re-introduction of the Act and reiterates that foreign legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR.

     After the procession and assembly in Central district yesterday, some radical protesters blocked roads in Central, extensively vandalised the Central Mass Transit Railway (MTR) station and set fire outside the station. They later continued the vandalistic acts and road blockage in places including Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Prince Edward. The Central MTR station and the Wan Chai MTR station were seriously damaged, and the stations in Central, Wan Chai, Prince Edward and Mong Kok had to be closed to protect the safety of passengers, MTR staff members and the facilities. The HKSAR Government condemns the illegal behaviour of the radical protesters. Their vandalising acts deprive the rights of other members of the public to use the MTR and must be stopped immediately.

     The spokesman said, "The Act mentioned the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 (the Bill), the incident concerning a bookstore in Causeway Bay and export control. The Chief Executive announced on September 4 that the Government would formally withdraw the Bill. Before that, the Government had also clearly indicated on many occasions that all work in relation to the legislative amendment had completely stopped. In respect of the incident concerning a bookstore in Causeway Bay, the Basic Law only authorises the law enforcement agencies of Hong Kong to enforce laws in the jurisdiction of Hong Kong. Law enforcement agencies outside of Hong Kong, including law enforcement agencies of the Mainland and overseas, do not have the authority to enforce laws within the jurisdiction of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government has all along been dealing with matters relating to the HKSAR in strict accordance with the principle of 'one country, two systems' and the Basic Law, and will not allow 'law enforcement across the boundary'. In respect of the incident relating to a bookstore in Causeway Bay, the Hong Kong Police have not discovered evidence indicating that there was 'law enforcement across the boundary'. In addition, Hong Kong's separate customs territory status and trade autonomy are conferred upon us by Articles 116 and 151 of the Basic Law, instead of an offering by other jurisdictions. It is very much in Hong Kong's own interest to maintain our autonomy to safeguard our interests and advantages under the 'one country, two systems' principle."

     "Since the return to the Motherland, the HKSAR has been exercising 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law. The 'one country, two systems' principle has been fully and successfully implemented. Human rights and freedom in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation. The HKSAR Government attaches great importance to them and is determined to safeguard them," the spokesman stressed.

Ends/Monday, September 9, 2019
Issued at HKT 0:00

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