Question: On 26 March, the UK government issued its 58th Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong, once again using the Sino-British Joint Declaration as a pretext to make unwarranted comments on Hong Kong affairs, including the judicial and law-enforcement affairs of the Hong Kong SAR. What is the Embassy’s comment?
Embassy Spokesperson: China firmly opposes the UK’s concoction of the so-called “six-monthly report”, its unwarranted comments on China’s policy for governing Hong Kong, and its interference in China’s internal affairs.
The Sino-British Joint Declaration is essentially about China’s resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It does not give the UK any right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs after the handover. Since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the constitutional and legal basis for the Chinese government to govern Hong Kong has been China’s Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The UK has no sovereignty, no right of governance, and no right of supervision over the HKSAR. It has neither the right nor the position to meddle in Hong Kong affairs.
Since Hong Kong’s return, the practice of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong has achieved universally recognised success. Today, in Hong Kong, security and the rule of law are effectively upheld; governance efficiency has markedly improved; public order is maintained; the business environment continues to improve; the economy is vibrant and robust; and the rights and freedoms of residents are fully protected in accordance with the law. Hong Kong has entered a new stage of advancing from stability to prosperity, with an even brighter future ahead.
The HKSAR is a society governed by the rule of law, which follows the basic principle that laws must be observed and violations must be prosecuted. The HKSAR judiciary independently hears cases endangering national security in accordance with the law, and law-enforcement agencies combat crimes endangering national security in accordance with the law, in a bid to uphold the authority of the law and safeguard national security. This is fully justified, reasonable and lawful, and must not be smeared or vilified. Jimmy Lai is the principal culprit who wreaked havoc in Hong Kong. His actions have seriously challenged the bottom line of the One Country, Two Systems principle, gravely endangered national security, severely undermined Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and greatly harmed the well-being of Hong Kong residents. He fully deserves the legal sanctions imposed on him.
We urge the UK side to reflect on its own serious problems in national governance, human rights and other areas, abandon its colonial mentality, and stop acting as a “lecturer” to others. We also urge the UK side to face reality, respect China’s sovereignty and Hong Kong’s rule of law, stop issuing the so-called “six-monthly report” for political manipulation, and cease all words and deeds that interfere in China’s internal affairs.
