The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) issued a solemn statement today (Nov. 7) expressing strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to a so-called joint statement issued by ten countries, namely the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, concerning the sentencing in the "conspiracy to commit collusion" case of Wong Chi-fung, which deliberately distorted facts and smeared the HKSAR.
A spokesperson for the HKSAR Government pointed out that the statement in question disregards facts, blatantly interferes with the judicial power and power of independent adjudication exercised by the HKSAR in accordance with the law, and maliciously smears the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL)). The HKSAR Government strongly urges the countries concerned to immediately cease interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs.
The spokesperson stated that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. The HKSAR Government has been consistently fulfilling its constitutional duty to safeguard national security in accordance with the law, upholding the principles that laws must be observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account. Wong Chi-fung pleaded guilty to the charge of "conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign countries or with external elements to endanger national security" under the HKNSL. The HKSAR court, acting in strict accordance with the law and judicial procedures, based on objective facts and sufficient evidence, has delivered a sentence independently and impartially, fully manifesting the spirit of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
The spokesperson stressed that everyone is equal before the law. Regardless of their political stance, background, or status, anyone who breaks the law must be held legally accountable. Attempting to distort criminal judgments handed down in accordance with the law into actions targeting "political expression" or "political participation" is purely political manipulation deliberately intended to confuse the public and distort right and wrong.
The spokesperson pointed out that the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law are fully protected by the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the HKNSL, among others. However, all rights and freedoms must be exercised within the legal framework and cannot be used as a pretext for engaging in acts that endanger national security.
It is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security. Not only is this in accordance with international law and international relations based on the Charter of the United Nations, but it is also an international practice. Many Western countries, including the UK and the US, maintain extensive and strict national security legal frameworks, and will absolutely not allow their citizens to collude with external forces to endanger their own national security. There are numerous cases in the countries concerned where their own citizens as well as foreign nationals have been prosecuted on charges such as "foreign agent" and "foreign interference", not to mention instances of arbitrary arrest and malicious prosecution. The groundless attacks by the countries concerned on Hong Kong's rule of law and judicial system, or their attempts to interfere with the HKSAR's work in safeguarding national security in accordance with the law through political pressure, only demonstrate their hypocritical double standards, which are utterly ugly and despicable.
The HKSAR Government urges the countries concerned to stop making irresponsible and misleading remarks, and to cease interfering in any form in the operation of judicial proceedings of the HKSAR and Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China's internal affairs. Any attempt to shake the determination of the HKSAR Government to safeguard national security is bound to be in vain and will never succeed.
The HKSAR Government will continue to steadfastly perform its duty of safeguarding national security, fully and faithfully implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".
(Source: HKSAR Government)
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