HKSAR govt slams Western meddling
The Hong Kong government has strongly condemned Western politicians for making “totally unfounded” and “grossly irresponsible” remarks about the special administrative region’s affairs following the arrest of 15 public figures.
The “absurd” comments on police operations and on matters of public security amounted to a serious intervention in Hong Kong’s affairs, the government said in a statement on Friday.
Such allegations made by certain officials and politicians in the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Parliament can hardly stand the test of any law-abiding jurisdiction, it added, without naming any individuals.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Beijing of departing from its commitment to the “one country, two systems” principle on Wednesday. He said any national security legislation in Hong Kong would be in breach of the principle.
Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s constitutional document, stipulates that the SAR shall enact laws on its own on national security.
Pompeo’s remarks followed comments by eight US lawmakers who cited recent Hong Kong police actions against 15 opposition politicians and activists as evidence that the SAR’s autonomy was deteriorating.
They also accused Beijing of breaching “one country, two systems” after two central government offices in charge of Hong Kong affairs commented on the six-month deadlock in the Legislative Council.
Hong Kong police arrested 15 public figures, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, on April 18 for allegedly organizing and participating in unlawful assemblies last year.
The government respects and protects human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law, but these rights are not absolute and have clear limits under the law, a government spokesman said in the statement.
Prosecutions are delivered independently and professionally according to applicable laws and evidence garnered during independent police investigations, explained the spokesman, adding that trials in Hong Kong are always open and independent.
“We therefore note with abhorrence certain overseas politicians demanding that the HKSAR government should drop the charges against the arrested individuals. If we were to accede or to be seen to yield to such unreasonable demands, it would not only be unfair and unprofessional but it would also be in violation of the spirit of the rule of law, a core value in Hong Kong,” the spokesman said.
In the latest Rule of Law Index released in mid-March by the US-based nonprofit organization World Justice Project, Hong Kong ranked 16th globally, while the US fell from the top 20 for the first time.
Regarding the legislation on national security, the spokesman said having laws in place to protect national security is common in many jurisdictions. He said he does not see how any defense of sovereignty and security would impact on local or overseas investment in Hong Kong.
The government’s remarks echoed those made by the Office of the Commissioner of the Foreign Ministry in the SAR, which said it firmly opposed these latest “unwarranted remarks” by US politicians “who keep talking nonsense about Hong Kong”.
In a statement on Thursday, the office said the legislation is for the sake of the city’s long-term prosperity and stability. The US should immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs.