The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it firmly rejects and strongly disapproves of the groundless attacks, malicious slanders and smears against various aspects of the city in the so-called resolution on Hong Kong passed by the European Parliament.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government solemnly pointed out that it strongly condemned any suggestion of imposing unilateral sanctions on any of its officials based on groundless accusations with no factual basis.

The officials will not be threatened by such barbaric and despicable acts, it added.

The statement noted that as guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all defendants charged with a criminal offence shall have the right to a fair trial by the Judiciary exercising independent judicial power.

It added that the Basic Law provides that the courts of the Hong Kong SAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.

The statement also said the Correctional Services Department is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy.

The department has put in place an established mechanism to ensure the rights of persons-in-custody (PICs) are protected, including arrangement of regular inspection of independent visitors, namely Justices of the Peace. Adequate medical care is also provided in all institutions. 

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that the department adopts the above arrangements when handling matters related to inmate Lai Chee-ying, which is the same as other PICs.

The statement added that in the interests of a particular prisoner or for the maintenance of good order and discipline, the Commissioner of Correctional Services is empowered to make arrangements that such prisoner should not associate with other prisoners, ie. so-called “solitary confinement”.

One of the purposes of the arrangement is to ensure the personal safety and well-being of the PIC, which can be requested by the PIC themselves and approved by the Commissioner after considering the matter in accordance with the law; or the Commissioner may make such arrangements after considering the relevant factors in accordance with the legal requirements and procedures.  

The Hong Kong SAR Government clarified that the arrangement for Lai Chee-ying's removal from association from other PICs has been made at his own request and approved by the Correctional Services Department after considering all relevant factors in accordance with the law all along.

It also noted that in accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states.

Many common law jurisdictions, including the US, the UK and Canada, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation to safeguard national security.

Turning a blind eye to the facts and making exaggerated remarks, the European Parliament has grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong's affairs, and demonstrated typical despicable political manipulation and hypocrisy with double standards, the statement pointed out.

The Hong Kong SAR despises the so-called “sanctions” and will not be intimidated.

The city will continue to resolutely discharge the duty of safeguarding national security, and urges them to stop any untruthful reporting on and malicious smearing of the relevant judgment.

The statement also mentioned that Hong Kong, being one of the most open economies in the world, firmly supports free and open trade, and a multilateral trading system, and has once again been recognised as the world's freest economy this year.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said it strongly opposes any trade measures imposed out of political motives, adding that the status of Hong Kong being a separate customs territory is guaranteed under Article 116 of the Basic Law, which cannot be revoked by any outside party.

It also reiterated that Hong Kong and the European Union (EU) have been collaborating over the years, and any malicious acts that undermine the mutually beneficial relations would harm the interests of the EU and its companies.