This undated photo shows the Central Government Offices in Tamar, Hong Kong. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has strongly opposed unfounded criticism made in a report on Hong Kong issued by the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
In a statement issued on Friday, a spokesman for the HKSAR government gave a point-by-point rebuttal of the report, which made unfounded criticisms and misleading comments against the Hong Kong government.
The HKSAR government spokesman urged the EU to respect the international law and basic norms governing international relations, and to stop interfering into the internal affairs of China through Hong Kong affairs
Regarding the 2021 Legislative Council election, the spokesman said the poll was conducted in accordance with the law, and was open, fair, honest and efficient.
READ MORE: Law enforcement vital task for Hong Kong
“With over 1.3 million voters cast their ballots to elect 90 members from 153 candidates of different backgrounds and political views, it manifests the broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition of the new electoral system."
On the implementation of the National Security Law, the spokesman reiterated that all law enforcement actions taken by the law enforcement agencies under the National Security Law, or any local legislation, are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and for the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and “have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation."
The spokesman also said that judicial independence in Hong Kong after the implementation of the National Security Law remains as robust as ever.
The media landscape in Hong Kong is as vibrant as ever, according to the spokesman. A total of 210 media organizations based locally, in the mainland or overseas, are registered with the government’s news and media information system of the Information Services Department, showing an increase after the implementation of the National Security Law, according to the government.
ALSO READ: HKSAR govt strongly refutes G7, EU statements on CE poll
The spokesman urged the EU to respect the international law and basic norms governing international relations, and to stop interfering into the internal affairs of China through Hong Kong affairs.