HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s government has strongly opposed an analysis released by the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China (US-CECC) on the human rights condition in Hong Kong, saying that the analysis was totally biased and smeared the National Security Law in the city.

In a statement issued on Friday night, a spokesman for the HKSAR government said it has firmly implemented the principle of "one country, two systems" and protects the lawful rights and interests of people living and doing businesses in Hong Kong, and would continue to do so resolutely.

The spokesman reiterated the government’s strong opposition to any form of intervention in HKSAR's affairs by foreign legislatures.

Every country has laws and duty to safeguard its national security and sovereignty and the international community should not adopt a double standard, the spokesman said.

“The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China… As national security falls within the purview of the central authorities, our country has the right to legislate for this matter under ‘one country, two systems’,” the spokesman said.

The National Security Law aims to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for an extremely small minority of offenders endangering national security, and only targets four types of acts and activities that endanger national security. The vast majority of law-abiding people, including Hong Kong residents and overseas investors, are not affected, the spokesman said.

“The offenses endangering national security are stringently defined in the National Security Law and are similar to those in the national security laws of other jurisdictions.”

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On the arrests mentioned in the analysis, the Hong Kong police have a statutory duty to maintain public safety and public order. The arrests made by the police were based on evidence and strictly according to the laws in force, the spokesman said.

As for the postponement of the Legislative Council election due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the HKSAR government has repeatedly stressed that the decision was entirely based on public health grounds, the spokesman said.

The spokesman also said the HKSAR government respects and safeguards the lawful rights of Hong Kong people, including the right to vote and the right to stand for elections.

The spokesman reiterated the HKSAR government’s strong opposition to any form of intervention in HKSAR's affairs by foreign legislatures

However, people advocating or promoting "Hong Kong independence" or self-determination, soliciting intervention by foreign governments or political authorities in relation to the HKSAR's affairs, could not genuinely uphold the Basic Law and could not therefore perform the duties of a LegCo member.

“The HKSAR government completely agrees with and supports Returning Officers to exercise their statutory duties in accordance with the law, which has nothing to do with eroding the rights and freedoms of the people,” the spokesman said.

The government also attaches great importance to upholding academic freedom and institutional autonomy, which includes institutions’ autonomy in handling matters concerning the employment and dismissal of academic and administrative staff.

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As far as textbooks are concerned, accuracy, impartiality and alignment with the curriculum are essential, the spokesman said.

“The professional consultancy service for Liberal Studies textbook publishers was provided on a voluntary basis as agreed with the latter and all revisions were made by the publishers themselves based on professionalism without political intervention,” the spokesman said.

As regards the temporary withdrawal of some books from public libraries for reviewing, the spokesman said the book collection must comply with the laws applicable to Hong Kong, which include the National Security Law.

The spokesman also said the HKSAR government is firmly committed to protecting and respecting the freedom of the press, which is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Basic Law.