This file photo taken on April 1, 2022 shows the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government firmly rejected the groundless attacks on Tuesday against the HKSAR in the United Kingdom’s six-monthly report on Hong Kong: January to June 2023.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the SAR government dismissed the UK’s attempt through the report again to make misleading remarks about Hong Kong, regarding the reform of District Councils, the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL), the protection of the human rights, etc.

“The UK's maneuver with politics prevailing over law-based administration is glaringly obvious,” the spokesperson said, adding that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China and enjoys a high degree of autonomy under “one country, two systems”.

The spokesperson for the HKSAR government pointed out that the UK turned a blind eye to the fact that the implementation of the NSL has enabled the economic activities in Hong Kong to resume as normal and the business environment to be restored

The spokesperson stressed that the improved electoral system put in place legal safeguards to ensure the full implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.

“No one in any country or region in the world will ever allow political power to fall into the hands of forces or individuals who do not love, or even sell out or betray, their own country,” the spokesperson said.

In order to end the chaos of the sixth-term District Councils, it was necessary to reform the councils, the spokesperson said, adding that any description of the councils being part of the democratic process of the HKSAR was a complete misinterpretation of the intent of the Basic Law.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson pointed out that the UK turned a blind eye to the fact that the implementation of the NSL has enabled the economic activities in Hong Kong to resume as normal and the business environment to be restored.

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“With the implementation of the NSL over the past three years or so, the HKSAR has been fulfilling the responsibility of safeguarding national security in accordance with the law and earnestly upholding the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers held accountable,” the spokesperson said.

Banners of "National Security， Foundation of Stability and Prosperity" are seen in Admiralty, Hong Kong on April 12, 2023 as the National Security Education Day approaches. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY )

The SAR law enforcement agencies had been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, the spokesperson stressed.

“Hong Kong's judicial system has always been highly regarded by international communities. Article 85 of the Basic Law clearly stipulates that the Judiciary shall exercise judicial power independently in accordance with the law, free from any interference,” the spokesperson said.

In order to end the chaos of the sixth-term District Councils, it was necessary to reform the councils, the spokesperson said, adding that any description of the councils being part of the democratic process of the HKSAR was a complete misinterpretation of the intent of the Basic Law

Hong Kong residents enjoyed the rights and freedoms under the Basic Law and other relevant laws, the spokesperson said, adding that the NSL stipulated that human rights shall be protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR and the freedoms.

The spokesperson also indicated that the exercise of such rights may be subject to restrictions that were provided by law and were necessary for pursuing legitimate aims such as the protection of national security or public order.

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“Under the 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantage of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world,” the spokesperson said.

The SAR government will continue to create strong impetus for growth at full steam, with a view to steadily advancing from stability to prosperity in the new phase, said the spokesperson, urging the UK again to stop interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs.