Question: The UK Foreign Secretary, referring to the decision to charge 47 Hong Kong politicians and activists, claims that the National Security Law “stifles any political dissent” and “violates the Joint Declaration”. What is the comment of the Chinese Embassy?

Embassy Spokesperson: The UK side’s remarks confuse right and wrong, and interfere in China’s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty. The Chinese side expresses its grave concern and strong opposition. I want to emphasize the following:

First, the handling of this case by the Hong Kong judicial authorities is in line with the law and brooks no distortion or discredit. China upholds the rule of law. Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law where no one is above the law. The 47 people in the relevant case organized, plotted and took part in last year’s so-called “35+ primary election” and “mutual destruction” plot aimed at paralyzing the Government of the Hong Kong SAR and pushing the city into the abyss of chaos. The relevant authorities in Hong Kong arrested and charged these people, in accordance with law, for suspicion of violation of the National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR and subversion of state power. These are legitimate legal and judicial actions and brook no distortion or discredit.

Second, the accusation that the National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR is used to “stifle any political dissent” is absurd. The Law was enacted to plug the legal loophole for safeguarding national security and to provide effective safeguards for the democratic rights and extensive freedoms of the Hong Kong citizens. The implementation of this Law marked a turning point in Hong Kong from chaos to law and order and provided better legal safeguards for the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong citizens.

Third, the allegation that the National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR “violates the Joint Declaration” is a non-issue. The Chinese government governs the Hong Kong SAR in accordance with the Constitution of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR was made in accordance with the Constitution of China and its inclusion in the legal system of the Hong Kong SAR was authorized by the Basic Law. The core content of the Joint Declaration is about China resuming sovereignty over Hong Kong, so the historical mission of the Joint Declaration was completed on 1 July 1997. The UK has no right to take the Joint Declaration as an excuse to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, which are China’s internal affairs.

Fourth, Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs and brook no external interference in any form. The Chinese Government remains unwavering in its determination to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, and to oppose any external interference. China urges the UK to respect the facts and the rule of law, discard its double standards and political manipulation, view the National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR and the handling of the case by the relevant authorities in accordance with law from an objective and fair perspective, immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, and stop going further down the wrong path.