HONG KONG - A spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the European Union's 2024 report, which interfered in Hong Kong affairs, defamed the city's rule of law and human rights situation, and smeared the national security law in Hong Kong.

The spokesperson stressed that the formulation and implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and the national security ordinance in Hong Kong are fully in line with the spirit of the rule of law and international common practices, providing a strong guarantee for Hong Kong's high-quality development and high-level opening up.

The spokesperson said that the HKSAR handles cases impartially in accordance with the law and resolutely cracks down on acts that endanger national security, which is an essential and legitimate move to uphold both national security and the integrity of the rule of law.

On the contrary, the European side openly supports the anti-China elements who incite secession and subversion of the government, and interferes with the judiciary of the HKSAR, which is a serious trampling on the spirit of the rule of law, the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson said that the rights and freedoms of speech, press and association that Hong Kong residents enjoy in accordance with the law are fully guaranteed within the framework of the national security law in Hong Kong and Hong Kong's national security ordinance.

So-called "freedom of speech" that crosses the bottom line of national security is not a shield for illegal acts. All rights and freedoms must be exercised within the scope stipulated by law, the spokesperson said.

The European side not only disregards international conventions and the legal practices of various countries, but also turns a blind eye to its own human rights issues. However, it interferes in Hong Kong affairs in the name of human rights and the rule of law, which is a typical "double standard" that blatantly violates international law and the basic norms of international relations, the spokesperson said.

The office urged the European side to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, respect China's sovereignty and Hong Kong's rule of law, and immediately stop political manipulation of interference in Hong Kong affairs.