The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (July 9) condemned the European Parliament for passing again a "resolution" relating to Hong Kong, noting that the "resolution" disregards the rule of law, smacks of double standards and constitutes gross interference in the internal affairs of China and the HKSAR.
      
     "As with any other country in the world, China has the power and the duty to safeguard national security. Taking account of the severe situation in the HKSAR posing national security risks, it was reasonable, lawful and necessary for the Central Authorities to enact the National Security Law and apply it in Hong Kong by promulgation in June last year. European countries have their own laws to safeguard national security, yet the European Parliament blatantly asked the Central Authorities to repeal the National Security Law, defying logic and manifesting its double standards," a Government spokesman said.
      
     "Since its implementation in June 2020, the positive effect of the National Security Law in restoring peace and stability and safeguarding individual rights and freedoms in the HKSAR has been obvious and indisputable. After the implementation of the National Security Law, the media and the general public continue to exercise their right to monitor the Government's work and the freedom of criticising policies every day, while overseas media disseminate information about the National Security Law and interview people with various stances without any interference.
      
     "The National Security Law clearly stipulates four types of offences endangering national security and the penalties. Law-abiding people will not unwittingly fall foul of the law. Law enforcement actions and prosecution decisions taken by the law enforcement and prosecution departments against suspected offenders or institutions are strictly in accordance with the law and the evidence, and have nothing to do with the political stances, backgrounds or professional fields of the people or institutions concerned. According to the Basic Law, the courts of the HKSAR can exercise independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, free from any interference. In exercising their judicial power, judges apply the law and nothing else.
      
     "Hong Kong's rule of law and judicial independence have been highly respected. The European Parliament has repeatedly passed so-called 'resolutions', demanding the immediate release of suspects arrested by the HKSAR law enforcement agencies or suggesting that persons of certain occupations or with certain political beliefs should be immune to legal sanctions. This is totally absurd. It not only disrespects the rule of law, but also constitutes gross interference in the affairs of the HKSAR.
      
     "The Decision by the Central Authorities on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR aims to plug the loopholes in the system and ensure 'patriots administering Hong Kong'. This is in line with international norms as no country in the world would allow its governance power to be vested in people who are not patriotic and who will endanger the interests of the country. Both of the Decisions by the Central Authorities on enacting the National Security Law and on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR will go a long way towards ensuring the faithful implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems' in the HKSAR.
      
     "The HKSAR Government condemns the European Parliament for disregarding the facts on the ground, disregarding international law and basic norms governing international relations, and attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of China and the HKSAR. Officers of the HKSAR Government will not be intimidated by the so-called 'sanctions' by foreign governments and will continue to discharge their responsibility of safeguarding national security resolutely," the spokesman said.

Ends/Friday, July 9, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:12

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