This Nov 17, 2016 photo shows the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Central. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday firmly rejected an European Union (EU) report on Hong Kong, which pointed a finger at Hong Kong affairs, slandered "one country, two systems," and attacked the national security law and the situation of human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has ushered in a situation of stability and prosperity, and opened a new chapter in good governance, and the lawful rights of freedom of speech, press and association enjoyed by Hong Kong residents are better protected in a safer environment, said a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office

"We urge the EU to abide by the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations and immediately stop the gross interference in Hong Kong affairs," said a spokesperson for the office.

The spokesperson said that since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the Chinese government has fully, faithfully and unswervingly implemented the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, and the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong is globally recognized.

In the more than three years since the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong, the rule of law and business environment in Hong Kong have become better, and the society more stable and united, showing stronger vigor and vitality, the spokesperson said.

Hong Kong has ushered in a situation of stability and prosperity, and opened a new chapter in good governance, and the lawful rights of freedom of speech, press and association enjoyed by Hong Kong residents are better protected in a safer environment, the spokesperson said.

The EU report, ignoring the basic facts, blaming China's just actions to safeguard national security, slandering the HKSAR government's law-based administration, and smearing the fair trial of the SAR courts and the bright future of Hong Kong, has denigrated into a tool of political performance and has no credibility at all, the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson pointed out that the EU itself faces multiple governance and development difficulties and human rights problems, such as the migrants and refugees issue, racial discrimination, the huge gap between the rich and the poor and the energy crisis.

Without reflecting on themselves, the EU blatantly violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and wantonly interfered in Hong Kong affairs in a commanding manner, the spokesperson said, adding that by playing the "Hong Kong card," the EU's hypocrisy and double standard has been laid bare.

A poster of the celebration of the 26th Anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland hangs on the wall of a building in the Central District, Hong Kong on June 29, 2023. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY )

The spokesperson stressed that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs and brook no interference.

Platitudes and fabricated reports of external forces cannot change China's determination to firmly safeguard "one country, two systems" and national security, nor can they stop the historical trend of Hong Kong moving from chaos to stability and prosperity, the spokesperson said.

The office urged the EU to put itself in the right position, recognize the trend, stop vilifying the rule of law and human rights situation in Hong Kong, and stop the political manipulation of interfering in Hong Kong affairs.

The HKSAR government also strongly expressed disapproval of and firm rejection towards the groundless attacks, slanders and smears targeting the HKSAR's safeguarding of national security and human rights in the so-called report and also the remarks about Hong Kong by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and vice-president of the European Commission.

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A spokesman for the HKSAR government stressed that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of China. It is a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under "one country, two systems" and comes directly under the central government. The legal basis for implementing "one country, two systems" comprises the Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law, which provide constitutional guarantee for fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to equality before the law, and is buttressed by the rule of law and independent judicial power.

The HKSAR government strongly urged the EU to discern facts from fallacies, respect the international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs.

The spokesman reiterated that any attempt by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability by slandering the SAR's situation will only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and be doomed to fail.

The HKSAR government will continue to discharge its duty to steadfastly ensure the successful implementation of the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy.

It will continue to create strong impetus for growth at full steam, forge a better integration of a capable government and an efficient market, and proactively compete for enterprises and talents to strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness. It will take Hong Kong's economic development to new heights, better serving Hong Kong residents and fostering the SAR's development, the spokesman said.