Spokesman of OCMFA writes to Washington Post to refute its fallacies about HK

A spokesperson of the Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (Sept. 5) wrote to the Washington Post to refute its fallacies about HK.

Following is the full text of the letter:

Editorial Board of the Washington Post:

On September 4, you published an editorial about the verdict in the Stand News case in Hong Kong, not wasting any chance to cast another shadow over the city's press freedom and economic prospects. Yet it seems that you've once again outdone yourself in hypocrisy and double-dealing!

The conviction of the Stand News personnel is a clear case of justice being served and has nothing to do with press freedom. Your editorial raises the question of "whether any media outlet can operate freely in the city (Hong Kong)". But really, but how "freely" is "freely" enough for you? All freedoms have their limits. Unfettered freedom simply tramples on the rights of others, and press freedom is no exception. Also, the media are not above the law and can only operate within its boundaries. May I ask if the Washington Post has the freedom to publish pieces that incite hatred, embolden people to overthrow the U.S. federal and the Washington D.C. government, and call for foreign sanctions against the U.S.? I highly doubt that the U.S. government and people would readily accept such "freedom"!

This whole "media exodus" narrative you've cooked up is quite a dramatic flair. In fact, some major American media outlets are doubling down and growing their operations in Hong Kong. But not surprisingly, their expansion stories have gone largely unnoticed, maybe for not fitting your agenda of painting the city as some kind of journalistic wasteland. Here's a thought - why not try reporting the Hong Kong news objectively for once? If you can really come to terms with presenting the real Hong Kong instead of this dystopian fantasy you've conjured up, people might actually take you seriously.

Your editorial habitually laments Hong Kong's economy and dismisses the government's efforts to boost it as mere "gimmicks". For decades, some Western media have never ceased their doomsaying about China's economy, which in turn have roared and achieved exponential growth despite all the sound and fury. In recent years, some U.S. politicians have adopted a Cold War mindset, slapping sanctions on China and the HKSAR, pushing for decoupling, issuing travel warnings, and even pressuring companies to pull out. And here comes your editorials, one after another, blared from the bandwagon of naysayers. The HKSAR government's commitment to economic development and bettering people's lives is simply what any responsible government should have. Your sarcastic jabs only serve to expose your narrow-minded agenda, and will only end up as "hatred's labor lost".

Despite sanctions and negative narratives, Hong Kong today remains open and free, with journalists able to carry out their work without hindrance. Recently, our Commissioner's Office held a press conference attended by about 50 journalists from 29 media outlets, including representatives from nine American, British and Japanese media. They were able to ask questions to the Commissioner freely, fully exercising their press freedom.

I myself also frequently host media briefings with foreign media based in Hong Kong. However, it's a pity that I rarely see Washington Post reporters at these events. I would like to extend an invitation to your journalists in Hong Kong for a direct and candid conversation—let's sit down for a coffee and communicate about the real Hong Kong.

Spokesperson of the Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR

September5, 2024

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