This photo dated April 21, 2021 shows the Central Government Offices at Tamar, Hong Kong. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has strongly opposed unfounded allegations made up by the Parliament of the United Kingdom against the National Security Law and the legal system in Hong Kong.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, a spokesman for the HKSAR government said it is “appalling” to see that some politicians have deliberately vilified Hong Kong’s security law and legal system by applying double standards and making baseless allegations.

“Every country around the world would take threats to its national security extremely seriously. China is no different,” the spokesman said.

We take strong exception to the absurd and misleading accusations against the NSL and our legal system.

Spokesman, HKSAR government

“The promulgation of the NSL is in line with the international practice of safeguarding national security and the exercise of the sovereign rights of our country,” he added. “We take strong exception to the absurd and misleading accusations against the NSL and our legal system.”

The spokesman noted that the fact there was a debate in the UK Parliament on the role of British and overseas judges in Hong Kong on Wednesday may have influenced the resignation of the two serving UK judges from the Court of Final Appeal.

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“This is clear evidence of external political pressure on judges of an otherwise independent judiciary,” the spokesman said.

“This will not be tolerated and will not happen in Hong Kong with the guarantee under Article 85 of the Basic Law which provides that the courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.”

Judicial independence in Hong Kong after the implementation of the NSL remains robust as ever, the HKSAR government spokesman said

Judicial independence in Hong Kong after the implementation of the NSL remains robust as ever, the spokesman said, adding that the independence of the judiciary is constitutionally guaranteed under the Basic Law.

He said that while Hong Kong welcomes eminent judges from other common law jurisdictions to serve as non-permanent judges, their departure will not in any way affect our judicial independence.

The spokesman also refuted criticisms against Hong Kong’s extraterritoriality, saying that the allegations are tainted with double standards.

“Extraterritoriality is a common feature of national security laws in many countries. The extraterritorial effect provided for in the NSL aligns with the principles of international law and international practice.”

“Any attempt to undermine our judicial independence through baseless allegations is futile,” the spokesman noted.

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The spokesman said Hong Kong is a part of China, and Hong Kong matters are purely “our country’s internal affairs.”

“We strongly urge foreign politicians to respect the exercise of sovereign rights by China and immediately stop breaching international laws based on their misconceptions, if not biased political interests."