The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (August 6) expressed strong opposition to the latest actions by the United States Government against the HKSAR under the so-called "Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents" (the Memorandum).

     A Government spokesman said, "We strongly object to the baseless and purely politically oriented comments in the Memorandum smearing the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong National Security Law). National security is a matter within the purview of the Central Authorities. It is the legitimate right and duty of every country to safeguard its national security. Whether it is in a unitary or federal system, legislation on national security is invariably carried out by the central authorities rather than a local government. Enacting laws on national security with extraterritorial effect is also squarely in line with international practice. The US has prolific laws on national security but chooses to smear the Hong Kong National Security Law out of political motivation. This is clear hypocrisy and demonstrates double standards.

     "Any law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law, for the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation."
 
     The spokesman stressed, "Anyone who violates the law should be responsible for his or her own behaviour. People who are wanted for prosecution and who have fled Hong Kong are fugitive offenders. The HKSAR Government will pursue the absconders' legal liabilities in accordance with the law to ensure that offenders will face justice.
 
     "Endangering national security is a very serious crime. The damage is serious. It is only right for action to be taken to prevent, interdict and suppress the act. That notwithstanding, the Hong Kong National Security Law upholds the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, clearly stipulating that the HKSAR shall protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong in accordance with the law. However, the ICCPR stipulates that certain rights and freedoms may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law if it is necessary in the interests of national security, public safety, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, etc.

     "Freedoms of speech, of the press and of publication are among the rights and freedoms explicitly mentioned in Article 4 of the Hong Kong National Security Law as being protected in accordance with Hong Kong laws."

     Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law on June 30, 2020, the US Government has been exploiting different incidents and making up excuses to slander the Hong Kong National Security Law and attack the authorities of the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR in their dutiful, faithful and lawful implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The accusations are baseless and have simply twisted the facts.

     The Hong Kong National Security Law has reversed the chaotic situation in Hong Kong since June 2019. Violent acts are now substantially reduced, external forces are observed to have been diminished, and advocacy of "Hong Kong independence" continues to subside. Any objective person will see that since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, stability, which is vital to business activities, has been restored to society and national security has been safeguarded in the HKSAR. Its people can continue to enjoy their basic rights and freedoms in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government will continue to discharge its duty to safeguard national security in Hong Kong in accordance with the law.

Ends/Friday, August 6, 2021
Issued at HKT 15:38

NNNN