MFA rejects US’ false accusations on SAR affairs
Central government ‘handling city’s affairs in line with nation’s Constitution and Basic Law’
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday stressed the central government’s firm stance on the comprehensive and accurate implementation of “one country, two systems”.
The central government is also firm in handling Hong Kong affairs in accordance with the national Constitution and the Basic Law of the special administrative region.
The remarks, by a spokesman of the ministry, were in response to the 2019 Hong Kong Policy Act Report issued by the United States Department of State on Thursday.
The report claimed that the Chinese central government had acted inconsistently with its commitments under the Basic Law, and that “intervention” has increased, which has “diminished” Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under the “one country, two systems” principle.
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and “a high degree of autonomy” have been faithfully implemented in the city.
Rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents have been fully protected, he said.
Stressing that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, Geng expressed firm opposition to the US government’s false accusations and interference in China’s domestic affairs by issuing the report.
“We urge the US government to stop such wrong practices and act cautiously on issues relating to Hong Kong,” the spokesman said.
The Hong Kong SAR Government also emphasized its strict compliance with the “one country, two systems” principle, the Basic Law and other laws of Hong Kong.
A government spokesman said the HKSAR has been exercising “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law — the SAR’s constitutional document — since the city’s return to the motherland in 1997.
Reiterating that Hong Kong is a highly open and international city, the spokesman noted that the US Heritage Foundation has ranked Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy for 25 consecutive years.
Hong Kong’s judicial independence also ranks first in Asia, the spokesman said.
“Human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation,” he stressed, adding that the SAR government is determined to safeguard relevant rights.
Foreign governments should not interfere in any form in the SAR’s internal affairs, the spokesman reiterated.
The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR also solemnly rejected the report on Friday.
Rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents have been fully protected.’’ Geng Shuang, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman