The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned the US House of Representatives for making use of the so-called Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office Certification Act to slander laws on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and smear the city's human rights situation.

It said that the US House of Representatives' fact-twisting attack on Hong Kong is politically driven, violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong, adding that the Hong Kong SAR refutes this action resolutely and condemns it strongly.

The Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that the so-called act is a self-deception of double standards.

Despite the US having the most stringent national security legislation, the act maliciously slanders against the just and legitimate objective of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), disregards the constitutional obligation and inherent rights of the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security, smears the fact that human rights and the rule of law are properly protected in accordance with the law by the Hong Kong SAR Government, and grossly interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong.

Such a political manoeuvre not only maliciously attacks the work of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Offices (ETOs) in the US on promoting normal economic and trade relations and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the US, but further advocates for their closure, severely damaging the normal economic and trade relations. The Hong Kong SAR refutes this action resolutely and condemns it strongly.

The Hong Kong SAR Government has been establishing and maintaining economic and trade relations with places around the world in accordance with the “one country, two systems” principle and has, pursuant to the Basic Law and legislation of the host countries, set up 14 overseas ETOs as the official representatives of the Hong Kong SAR, including the three ETOs established in the US.

In their respective jurisdictions, the ETOs in Washington, D.C., New York and San Francisco have been operating in accordance with local legislation and maintaining close liaison with interlocutors in government, business, think tanks and various sectors to enrich ties between Hong Kong and the US in different areas such as trade, investment, and arts and culture, the Hong Kong SAR Government explained.

It stressed that the smooth operation of the three ETOs in the US contributes to strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and the US in different areas, and is mutually beneficial to both places.

In fact, the US enjoys significant economic benefits in Hong Kong. The US has realised a trade surplus of US$271.5 billion with Hong Kong during the past 10 years, the largest among its global trading partners, and more than 1,200 US companies have set up businesses in Hong Kong, it highlighted.

Additionally, it emphasised that if the US insists on undermining the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US through the so-called Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office Certification Act, it will ultimately harm the interests of the US and its companies.

The Hong Kong SAR's three ETOs in the US will continue to promote Hong Kong's unique advantages, tell the good stories of Hong Kong and, where necessary, refute erroneous reports and clarify misconceptions without fear or favour, so as to foster economic and trade relations and co-operation on different fronts between Hong Kong and the US on a mutually beneficial basis.

Moreover, the Hong Kong SAR Government underscored that it will continue to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the NSL and the SNSO to prevent, suppress and punish in accordance with the law, acts and activities that endanger national security.

It also firmly safeguards the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents protected by law. The NSL clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR.

Law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong SAR law enforcement agencies, including those taken under the NSL, the SNSO and other Hong Kong laws, are based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law, and have nothing to do with the occupation, background or political stance of the people concerned, the Hong Kong SAR Government indicated.

It further stated that the Basic Law guarantees that the common law system continues to be practised in Hong Kong, and that the Hong Kong SAR shall be vested with independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. The courts shall exercise judicial power independently, free from interference.

The Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that it will continue to support the Judiciary in adjudicating cases independently in accordance with the law and resolutely safeguard the rule of law in Hong Kong.