The Commissioner’s Office of the Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has firmly opposed external forces' attempts to smear the national security legislation for the city.

In a statement issued on Saturday, a spokesperson for the office said some Western politicians, senior officials of international organizations and the European Parliament have interfered with HKSAR affairs, which are China’s internal affairs, by making unwarranted comments about Hong Kong.

READ MORE: National security, HK affairs brook no external interference

The spokesperson condemned such remarks, expressing strong disapproval and firm opposition.

Safeguarding national security is the first and foremost factor of national sovereignty, the spokesperson said.

No country would ever leave acts endangering national security on its territory unchecked, or allow loopholes in its national security mechanism and legislation to remain open. Hong Kong is a special and local administrative region of China.

Spokesperson, Commissioner’s Office of the Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR

"No country would ever leave acts endangering national security on its territory unchecked, or allow loopholes in its national security mechanism and legislation to remain open. Hong Kong is a special and local administrative region of China. As Hong Kong is unable to resolve on its own challenges jeopardizing national security and the majority of its people’s wellbeing, it is only just and legitimate and in line with the Constitution for the Central Authorities to legislate on national security for the HKSAR at the state level," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that those who point fingers at China’s affairs under the pretext of human rights and the rule of law have only exposed their arrogance and prejudice in interfering with other countries’ internal affairs.　

"While proclaiming themselves as champions of human rights, the politicians have falsely pit the protection of human rights against the protection of national security. They frequently cite the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, but ignore that the ICCPR mentions at least seven times that human rights, including freedoms of expression, assembly and association, can be subject to restrictions for the protection of national security," the spokesperson said.

"While targeting a small handful of criminal acts and activities endangering national security, the national security legislation for the HKSAR will protect the safety and legitimate rights and freedoms of the majority of Hong Kong citizens, so that they can enjoy the freedom from fear caused by violence, freedom to use the MTR and visit shopping malls without worries, and freedom to speak the truth in public without being lynched by rioters," the spokesperson said.

While paying lip service to the rule of law, the politicians have shown no regard for the principle of non-interference, a principle of international law and a basic norm governing international relations, the spokesperson said.

"They frequently cite the Sino-British Joint Declaration, but ignore the fact that the document is essentially about China’s resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and arrangements for the transitional period. No single word or clause in the document grants any country or international organization the right to meddle with Hong Kong affairs. The basic policies concerning Hong Kong in the document were unilaterally stated by China, have been embodied in the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and will continue to be upheld," the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson emphasized that at the core of “one country, two systems” is the mission to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. 

"'One country' is the prerequisite for and foundation of 'two systems', while 'two systems' derive from and are subordinate to 'one country'. Should the 'one country' principle be undermined, 'two systems' would be out of the question," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said no one shall ever underestimate the strong will and firm resolve of China to establish and improve a legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security.