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Embassy Spokesperson's Remarks on the UK Side's Wrong Comments on the Case of Jimmy Lai
2020-12-15 07:24

Question: According to media reports, the spokesperson of the UK Prime Minister has expressed concerns over the case of Jimmy Lai and UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab issued a statement, claiming that this “highlights the authorities’ continued attacks on the rights and freedoms of its people”. What is the comment of the Chinese Embassy in the UK?

Embassy Spokesperson: For some time recently, the UK side has, in disregard of China’s solemn position, made irresponsible remarks time and again on Hong Kong-related issues. Against this, the Chinese side has made solemn representations on many occasions. The unwarranted claims of the UK side on the case of Jimmy Lai constitute interference in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs, which are China’s internal affairs. The Chinese side expresses its grave concern and strong opposition.

China upholds the rule of law. Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law. No one has extrajudicial privileges, and no offender escapes justice. The legal proceedings instituted against Jimmy Lai, and some other anti-China elements aiming at destabilizing Hong Kong, for suspicion of undermining China’s national security in collusion with foreign or external forces are lawful steps taken by the enforcement institutions of the Hong Kong SAR who were fulfilling their duty. This brooks no slandering or disruption.

The National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR is the fundamental solution for Hong Kong to end chaos and restore order. It is a milestone in consolidating and improving “One Country, Two Systems”, a protection for the long-term security, prosperity and stability in the Hong Kong SAR, and a guardian of the statutory rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people. This Law clearly stipulates, “ The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, which the residents of the Region enjoy under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law.” However, there is a clear boundary in law for any right or freedom. To enjoy one’s right or freedom under the law fully, one must observe the law. Anyone who breaks the law shall face justice. Almost half a year after the National Security Law was enforced, the lawful rights and interests of the residents of Hong Kong are safeguarded, law and order is gradually restored, and the economy is showing increasingly strong vitality. The Law has received extensive support from the public in Hong Kong and full recognition from the international community.

The Chinese side reiterates that not a single word or article in the Sino-British Joint Declaration gives the UK any responsibility over Hong Kong from July 1st, 1997. The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of “supervision” over Hong Kong. It is completely groundless to claim that the National Security Law “breaches” the Joint Declaration. The Joint Declaration gives no foreign country any excuse or right to interfere in the affairs of Hong Kong and internal affairs of China.

Hong Kong is part of China. Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs and brook no interference by any foreign country in any form. The Chinese side urges the UK to stop going any further down the wrong path, return to the right track, discard its colonial mindset and double standards, and immediately stop its meddling in Hong Kong affairs and interference in China’s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, or it will have to bear all the consequences of its actions.

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