The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned and opposed the slanders and smears against Hong Kong in a so-called resolution introduced by US politicians.

It expressed complete disapproval of individual members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, through introducing a so-called resolution against Hong Kong, for making baseless allegations against the city and smearing the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO).

The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly condemned and opposed such despicable political maneuvering and reckless clamoring, and urged the US to stop undermining the city's international reputation, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs.

It pointed out that the US politicians have repeated their tactics and breached the international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations, and wantonly interfering with Hong Kong matters by passing the so-called resolution, which is a despicable political manipulation.

It also noted that the US politicians have time and again made skewed remarks about Hong Kong's situation and advocated to impose the so-called “sanctions” on Hong Kong pursuant to its domestic law, attempting to interfere with Hong Kong's law-based governance and undermine the city's rule of law as well as its prosperity and stability.

The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly condemned its political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all.

It highlighted that national security is the foundation for prosperity and stability in society, as well as the well-being of the people. Apart from stressing that only with security could there be development, it emphasised that the black-clad violence and the Hong Kong version of the colour revolution back in 2019 have severely damaged the social stability of Hong Kong.

With the promulgation and implementation of the HKNSL, its effect in stopping violence and curbing disorder as well as quickly restoring social stability in the Hong Kong community was immediate. With the concerted efforts of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Legislative Council and all sectors of the community, the Hong Kong SAR fulfilled its constitutional duty by enacting the SNSO last year to improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, enabling Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order and its advancement from stability to prosperity.

The Hong Kong SAR Government specified that in fact, the implementation of the HKNSL in the past four years or so has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community at large to swiftly resume to normal and the business environment to be restored and improved continuously.

It called attention to the fact that in the Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report, Hong Kong ranks as the world's freest economies among 165 economies.

Additionally, in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, Hong Kong's ranking improved by two places to fifth globally. Last year, Hong Kong ranked among the top three international financial centres and the top four initial public offering markets in the world. It is evident, it stressed, that international funds and investments are confident in Hong Kong's development.

The Hong Kong SAR Government indicated that in accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice.

It stressed that with at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security, the US politicians have displayed hypocrisy and exposed their double standards by pointing fingers at the Hong Kong SAR's legal system and enforcement mechanism to safeguard national security.

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that the legal framework for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR is fully in compliance with the international standard for the protection of human rights.

The HKNSL and the SNSO clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applicable to the Hong Kong SAR are protected in accordance with the law. By wantonly neglecting the relevant provisions and lashing out, the US politicians have fully exposed their malicious intentions.

The Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that the offences endangering national security stipulated by the HKNSL and SNSO target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity.

The Hong Kong SAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation, it added.

Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.

In addition to reiterating that all cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law, The Hong Kong SAR Government said that all defendants will receive a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong including the Hong Kong NSL and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

It also said that as the legal proceedings involving Lai Chee-ying are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case.

The Hong Kong SAR Government stated further that it will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law.

At the same time, it will continue to protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”.