The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has today (November 10) strongly opposed the so-called "sanctions" by the United States (US) Government against four officials of the Central People's Government (CPG) and the HKSAR Government. The HKSAR Government is not intimidated by such despicable behaviour, and will resolutely continue to implement the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the National Security Law).
     
     "The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, and a local administrative region which enjoys a high degree of autonomy and comes directly under the CPG. The repeated blatant and barbaric interference in the internal affairs of the HKSAR by the US Government is another vivid example of unreasonable bullying act against the CPG and the HKSAR Government officials who safeguard national security. This will undermine Hong Kong-US relations at various levels, and is resented by many people locally and around the world," the Government spokesperson stressed.

    "National security is a matter of utmost importance to any state, including the US. Laws governing national security are matters for the sovereign State, regardless of whether it is a unitary or federal system of government. Enforcement of national security is likewise under the purview of the Central Authorities. The National Security Law enacted on June 30, 2020 by the National People's Congress Standing Committee is in line with all these general features, and in recognition of the HKSAR's special status, authorises the HKSAR Government to be the main enforcement entity. Article 4 of the National Security Law specifies that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law as well as the provisions in international covenants as applied to Hong Kong shall be protected in accordance with the law.
      
    "These legal provisions as well as the rule of law and the independent judiciary in the HKSAR are clearly ignored by relevant US officials who have chosen to make unsubstantiated and sweeping comments."
   
    "The Hong Kong Police have a statutory duty to maintain public safety and public order. If anyone contravenes the law anywhere in Hong Kong, it is the statutory duty of the Police to take actions. The arrests made by the Police were based on evidence and strictly according to the laws in force. If there is evidence showing that anyone has violated the law, he or she must face justice regardless of his or her social status or background. No one has the privilege to break the law without facing consequences. The Police have always been handling and will continue to handle all cases in a fair, just and impartial manner in accordance with the law."
           
     "The duty to safeguard national security is an immense responsibility, protecting the life and interests of the 7.5 million Hong Kong people as well as the 1.4 billion Mainlanders. The HKSAR Government will continue to safeguard national security without fear."

Ends/Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:40

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