Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki attended and spoke at the plenary meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

As Deputy Head of China's delegation, Mr Chan took part in the meeting together with officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government as members of China's delegation.

While speaking at the forum, he pointed out that the Hong Kong SAR has fulfilled its constitutional duty to enact local legislation to safeguard national security.

Apart from stating that Hong Kong people no longer need to worry about the return of the days of violence and destruction, Mr Chan stressed that they can reclaim their peaceful and prosperous way of living, and fully enjoy their legitimate rights and freedoms as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Basic Law.

The Chief Secretary emphasised that with the rule of law, a highly efficient market, a clean government, a free flow of capital, talent, information and goods, as well as an international lifestyle, Hong Kong has everything it takes to be a world-class city.

At the same time, he made it clear that through targeted policies, Hong Kong continuously promotes the welfare of the elderly, children and women, as well as the rights of local and imported workers alike.

Mr Chan added that with the country's strong support and the unique advantages of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong will continue to go from strength to strength as one of the world's best cities to live in.

Also at the meeting, the UNHRC formally adopted the review report on China by the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review.

The review report covers a total of 428 recommendations raised with China by the United Nations Member States, including 24 pertaining to the Hong Kong SAR.

In accordance with the general principles adopted by the central government, the Hong Kong SAR Government has carefully considered such pertinent recommendations and taken a position on each of them for submission to the central government.

The Hong Kong SAR Government noted that throughout the review, many countries have spoken highly of China's human rights progress and fully acknowledged China's efforts and historic achievements in advancing and protecting human rights.

It added that it has actively responded to the views and suggestions about the human rights situation of the Hong Kong SAR from some countries, and sternly rebutted the unfounded and untrue remarks from a small number of countries.

The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that it is steadfast in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, fully and faithfully upholding the top priority of the “one country, two systems” principle.

At the same time, it indicated that it protects the legal interests, rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and other people in the city in accordance with the law, adding that it will resolutely safeguard the overall interest of the community and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”.

Looking ahead, the Hong Kong SAR Government stated that it will continue to collaborate with all sectors of society to protect and promote human rights through security, development and co-operation, and tell the international community good stories of the Hong Kong SAR's human rights situation in a reasoned and robust manner.