Question: On December 24, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a statement criticising the Hong Kong police for taking law enforcement actions against anti-China individuals seeking to destabilise Hong Kong. What is your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: The relevant remarks made by the UK side seriously interfered in China's internal affairs and the rule of law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. China firmly opposes this.

Hong Kong upholds the rule of law and no one has the privilege to be above the law. The Hong Kong SAR police's law enforcement actions against absconders who engaged in anti-China activities and sought to destabilise Hong Kong are in line with the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and reflect the common aspiration of the society.

It is what is needed for the comprehensive and accurate implementation of the legal systems and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security including the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. It is a just move in accordance with the law and a necessary action to ensure the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong-related affairs are purely China's internal affairs which brook no interference by external forces. We urge the UK side to earnestly respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, stop meddling in Hong Kong-related affairs, stop emboldening the anti-China individuals seeking to destabilise Hong Kong, and stop harbouring criminals.