The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today condemned groundless accusations by foreign governments against the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC).

It said the NPCSC’s decision made on November 11 is constitutional, lawful and necessary and clearly sets out the consequences for Legislative Council members if they violate the legal prerequisites of upholding the Basic Law and swearing allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Four members of the sixth-term LegCo, namely Alvin Yeung, Kwok Ka-ki, Dennis Kwok and Kenneth Leung, had submitted nominations to run for the 2020 LegCo General Election that was originally scheduled for September 6. Their nominations were invalidated by Returning Officers before the end of the nomination period, and they lost the qualification for running for the election of the seventh-term LegCo.

The Returning Officers clearly stated that the behaviour of these four people was not in compliance with the declaration requirement for candidates under the LegCo Ordinance (Cap 542).

The NPCSC decision provided the solid legal basis for the Hong Kong SAR Government to announce their disqualification by stipulating that such consequences were applicable to LegCo members who were confirmed in accordance with the law to be ineligible to become candidates for LegCo election.

The Hong Kong SAR Government added that it is a timely act to ensure the faithful implementation of “one country, two systems” and safeguard the constitutional order of the city.

There is no question of destroying “one country, two systems” or a high degree of autonomy as claimed by a few.

It is also far from the truth for others to accuse the NPCSC decision of stifling human rights or freedoms, or undermining democracy or the legislature’s checks and balance over the executive.

The Hong Kong SAR Government denounced such irresponsible remarks by foreign political figures.

It said that such accusations were politically motivated with ulterior motives to undermine the relationship between the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR under the “one country, two systems” principle.

They were also flagrant interference by a country or government into the internal affairs of another country or government, breaching the basic guiding principles of international relations.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also pointed out that swearing allegiance to the system of the country and upholding the laws of the state is an international norm for public officers and any breach of the oath will not be tolerated.

No country will turn a blind eye to the breaching of oaths or acts of treason by public officers, including legislators.

By criticising the actions of the Central People's Government and the Hong Kong SAR Government to disqualify four LegCo members who have been confirmed to have breached the statutory requirements in their oath, those foreign political figures are clearly applying double standards, it said.

The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that Hong Kong matters are internal affairs of the PRC.