The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today vehemently refuted the “report” issued by the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

In a press statement, it pointed out that the “report” made slandering remarks and ill-intentioned political attacks against Hong Kong, and urged again the US to respect the basic norms governing international relations and stop maliciously interfering in the affairs of the Hong Kong SAR.

The National Security Law clearly stipulates that the important principles of the rule of law should be adhered to, including conviction and punishment in accordance with the law, presumption of innocence and protection of the right to defend oneself, the Hong Kong SAR Government explained, noting that following the implementation of the National Security Law, Hong Kong people continue to enjoy the legitimate rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law.

It then reiterated that the “sanctions” arbitrarily imposed by the US mentioned in the “report” smack of despicable political manipulation, grossly interfere in China’s internal affairs and the Hong Kong SAR’s affairs. Despising such “sanctions”, the Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that is not intimidated by such despicable behaviour, and will continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security.

Furthermore, the Hong Kong SAR Government highlighted that Hong Kong’s improved electoral system puts in place legal safeguards to ensure full implementation of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. Allegations in the “report” against the improved electoral system were untruthful, it pointed out.

It also lamented that critics of the Hong Kong SAR’s electoral arrangements have chosen to ignore the unprecedented challenges and security risks Hong Kong faced for almost one year from the latter part of 2019 when elected members of the legislature were exploiting the political structure to engage in activities undermining national security.

Separately, the Hong Kong SAR Government strongly rebukes the “report” for its smearing of the city’s education system, and stressed that students should be provided with a safe and orderly school environment under which they receive quality education for becoming citizens that observe rules and laws.

In this connection, it said the Education Bureau has the responsibility to safeguard students’ wellbeing, uphold the teachers’ professionalism and maintain society’s confidence in the teaching profession.

The bureau should hence cease the working relations with any teachers’ organisation that engages in political propaganda and even engages schools in politics under the guise of being a professional education organisation, the Hong Kong SAR Government noted.