HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Saturday strongly condemned the unfounded and biased statement by G7 foreign ministers and the High Representative of the European Union that smeared the city’s Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

The HKSAR government said the statement also deliberately misled the public about the National Security Law for Hong Kong (NSL) and showed “typical political hegemony and hypocrisy”.

The spokesman noted that it is the constitutional duty of the SAR to safeguard national security and many common law jurisdictions--including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and Singapore--have enacted multiple laws to safeguard their own national security

“The HKSAR government strongly urges these foreign governments with ulterior motives to stop smearing and interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are internal affairs of China,” an HKSAR government spokesman said.

“It is incumbent upon foreign governments to ensure that their remarks concerning the NSL and the ordinance are fair and just, and stop making scaremongering remarks."

The ordinance, enacted on March 23 to fulfill the city’s constitutional obligation under Article 23 of the Basic Law, prohibits five types of crimes that endanger national security: treason, insurrection, theft of State secrets, sabotage and external interference. It complements the NSL, enacted in June 2020.

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The spokesman noted that it is the constitutional duty of the SAR to safeguard national security and many common law jurisdictions--including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and Singapore--have also enacted multiple laws to safeguard their own national security.

“Turning a blind eye to the fact and making exaggerated remarks, the G7 foreign ministers and the High Representative of the EU have demonstrated typical political hegemony and hypocrisy with double standards," he said.

The spokesman said that during the public consultation of the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, 98.6 percent of the submissions of opinions showed support for its enactment. He also said that the offenses covered by the ordinance were defined with clarity and precision.

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“The ordinance will not affect normal business operations and normal worldwide exchanges of local institutions, organizations and individuals,” the spokesman said.

“Law-abiding persons (including businessmen and enterprises in Hong Kong and travelers visiting Hong Kong) will not engage in acts and activities endangering our national security and will not unwittingly violate the law," he added.

The spokesman said the ordinance clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law and international conventions are to be protected in accordance with the law.

“The G7 foreign ministers and the High Representative of the EU neglected the relevant provision and lashed out wantonly, fully exposing its malicious intentions," he said.

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He added that the successful enactment of the ordinance addressed the shortcomings in the HKSAR’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms.

“We must once again emphasize that the ordinance is a piece of legislation to defend against external forces that endanger our national security, acting like a sturdier door and a more effective door lock to defend our home,” the spokesman said.

“It is incontrovertible that safeguarding national security will provide a better business environment for businesses operating in Hong Kong,” he added.