The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Saturday strongly opposed and condemned the malicious attacks against the city’s judicial system and national security laws by various western countries over the conviction of a now-dismantled political alliance and its former leaders for inciting subversion.

In a statement, the LegCo expressed strong dissatisfaction with the slanders and smears from external forces, including anti-China media, organizations and politicians, after the HKSAR’s High Court found the Hong Kong Alliance and two of its former leaders guilty of inciting subversion by stirring up public hatred toward the Communist Party of China and advocating ending the Party’s leadership.

"The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state, making clear that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the cornerstone of the constitutional order of the People's Republic of China,” a spokesperson for LegCo was quoted as saying in the statement.  

“As an inalienable part of our country, Hong Kong must firmly uphold its constitutional order.”

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The LegCo solemnly urged external forces to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, respect the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong, and refrain from smearing Hong Kong's judicial system with double standards.

The spokesperson stressed that the reasons for the court's verdict were detailed, clearly pointing out that the trial of the case was never targeted at the defendants' political views, but was based on objective law and evidence, strictly following the National Security Law of the HKSAR and other relevant legislation.

After the HKNSL came into effect, the defendants still persistently pressed ahead with subversion activities, and their acts clearly went beyond the boundaries of lawful freedom of expression, the spokesperson said.

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The entire trial procedure was open and transparent, and the verdict was lawful, fair and reasonable, conforming to the fundamental interests of Hong Kong, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson reiterated that national security is the fundamental prerequisite for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, adding that safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the fundamental premise of the "one country, two systems".

Only by safeguarding national security can the various lawful rights and interests of the public be effectively protected, and favorable conditions be created for Hong Kong's long-term development, the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson added that, for Hong Kong to advance from stability to prosperity, equal emphasis must be placed on both security and development, noting that security and development are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other.