This file photo date Jun 29, 2020 shows a billboard about the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Central area in Hong Kong, south China. (WANG SHEN / XINHUA)

Officials of the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have denounced a report by a United Kingdom parliamentary group on the SAR for twisting the facts and smearing the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong. 

Expressing strong disapproval over the report by the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong, a spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR said on Tuesday the report had interfered in the internal affairs of China and Hong Kong by undermining the city's rule of law and backing anti-China forces under the guise of press freedom.

The spokesperson noted that with the enactment of the NSL for Hong Kong, public order has been restored in the city, the rule of law is upheld

In a statement, the spokesperson noted that with the enactment of the NSL for Hong Kong, public order has been restored in the city, the rule of law is upheld, development is back on track, and Hong Kong residents’ lawful rights are safeguarded.

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"The facts have proven that the NSL has effectively safeguarded Hong Kong’s safety and stability. Nonetheless, some British politicians have turned a blind eye to the facts and smeared the NSL, as well as Hong Kong’s press freedom,” the statement reads.

The spokesperson urged British politicians to recognize the reality, abide by the basic norms of international law and relations, and immediately stop damaging Hong Kong’s rule of law under the pretext of press freedom.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, a spokesman for the HKSAR government said the so-called report on Hong Kong is full of “fallacious remarks” and puts politics above the rule of law.

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“Indeed, since the implementation of the NSL for Hong Kong, the media landscape in the city has been as vibrant as ever. As always, the media can exercise their rights to monitor the HKSAR government's work. Their freedom of commenting on and criticizing government policies, which take place as a matter of routine, remains uninhibited as long as they’re not in violation of the law,” the spokesman said.

Contact the writer at mikegu@chinadailyhk.com