2024 RT Amination Banner.gif

China Daily

News> Hong Kong> Content
Friday, August 07, 2020, 23:52
HKSAR govt strongly deplores US consulate's statement
By Wang Zhan
Friday, August 07, 2020, 23:52 By Wang Zhan

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday strongly deplored and opposed a statement of the US Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau for incorrectly and inappropriately commenting that the National Security Law would affect the freedom of speech of Hong Kong residents.

In a press statement posted online on Friday evening, a government spokesman said the US's inappropriate comments on the National Security Law “smacks of political manipulation and double standards.” 

ALSO READ: Yang on China-US ties: Respect history, look to the future

“It is a gross interference in China's internal affairs and a grave violation of basic norms governing international relations. The HKSAR Government strongly opposes the comments," the spokesman said.

He said the National Security Law does not affect the legitimate rights of Hong Kong residents to exercise freedom of speech, “including criticizing government policies or policies and decisions made by officials.” 

“Neither will freedom of information, academic freedom, policy studies, personal data privacy and general business activities be compromised," he said.

In a press statement posted online on Friday evening, a government spokesman said the US's inappropriate comments on the National Security Law “smacks of political manipulation and double standards”

The government spokesman said HKSAR’s capitalist system, high degree of autonomy and legal system will not be affected.

ALSO READ: Nobody wins new Cold War, China's US envoy says

"As a highly international city, Hong Kong has frequent exchanges and close liaison with other countries, regions and relevant international organizations. Such normal exchanges are protected by the Basic Law and the laws of the HKSAR,” the spokesman said.

He said the National Security Law only targets four types of acts and activities that endanger national security. 

“The vast majority of Hong Kong residents who are law-abiding, including overseas investors, are entirely not affected,” the spokesman said. 

The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR also expressed strong disapproval and firm opposition to the US consulate general’s statement.

ALSO READ: Washington urged to halt intervention, provocation

A spokesperson of the Commissioner's Office urged the US side to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, on the pretext of free speech.

The US itself has the most sophisticated system of national security laws in the world, which are applied to every inch of its land, including overseas territories, the spokesperson said in a statement.

It also frequently abuses national security to infringe upon other countries' lawful rights and interests. But now it is heaping accusations on China's formulation and implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, he said.

This is nothing short of double standards, ideological bias and hegemonic thinking, he added.   

READ MORE: Wang condemns 'reckless provocation' by Washington

The spokesperson pointed out that Hong Kong residents have been greatly heartened by the implementation of the National Security Law.

By pitting the law against "democracy, human rights and freedoms", and eagerly endorsing the anti-China troublemakers in the city, the US side has only laid bare its intention to sow more trouble in Hong Kong, he added.


Share this story

CHINA DAILY
HONG KONG NEWS
OPEN
Please click in the upper right corner to open it in your browser !