This file photo taken on Nov 17, 2016 shows the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Central. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – The Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Sunday strongly disapproved and firmly rejected the irresponsible remarks of a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU about the trial of some Hong Kong Alliance members.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the office said the remarks vilified the judicial justice of the HKSAR, interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, and trampled on the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations.
The spokesperson said that since the implementation of the national security law, Hong Kong’s governance has been more effective, and all lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents have been better protected in a safer environment
“Hong Kong’s judiciary made a ruling on the relevant members of the Hong Kong Alliance because they refused to cooperate with Hong Kong police officers with requests made in accordance with law,” the spokesperson said.
“The judicial ruling reflects the principle that laws must be enforced, and that law-breakers must be held accountable. It is a necessary action to safeguard the authority of the national security law and it brooks no slander,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said that since the implementation of the national security law, Hong Kong’s governance has been more effective, and all lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents have been better protected in a safer environment.
However, all rights and freedoms have clear boundaries prescribed by law, and no one has the privilege to be above the law, the spokesperson said.
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The spokesperson pointed out that a few Western politicians ignore facts and try to whitewash anti-China forces in Hong Kong whenever there is any law enforcement action involving such elements, “which only shows their collusion with anti-China elements in Hong Kong and exposes their fear of the national security law.”
“Beneath their pretensions of ‘human rights’ and ‘freedom’ are their political self-interest and their plot to ‘disrupt Hong Kong and contain China’,” the spokesperson said. “They can by no means incite the cleared-eyed Hong Kong people and people of integrity in the international community.”
The spokesperson stressed that the central government is resolute in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to fully and faithfully implement the principle of “one country, two systems”.
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“No one could stop Hong Kong’s transformation into greater prosperity and stability or the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” the spokesperson said. “We urge Western politicians to recognize the reality, put themselves in the right position, stop vilifying the rule of law and judicial independence of Hong Kong, and stop undermining Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.”