The spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the HKSAR strongly disapproved and firmly rejected the statement of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China and misleading remarks of a few American politicians for making a case for anti-China elements in Hong Kong. They clamored for sanctions against Chinese officials besides slamming the Central Government’s policy towards Hong Kong and the national security law. We urge these politicians to respect facts, follow the historical trend, and refrain from further political grandstanding.

The spokesperson said that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law where laws must be observed and lawbreakers held to account. Unmistakable evidence has proved that the relevant people are suspected of subverting the State power, a crime stipulated in Article 22 of the national security law. In Hong Kong, law enforcement activities of police and the impartial judiciary brook no external interference. Unsurprisingly, by exploiting the first anniversary of law-based detention of relevant criminal suspects, some political figures banded together to smear the HKSAR Government and whitewash the suspects, demonstrating beyond doubt that they are cut from the same cloth as disruptive elements who harm Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.

The spokesperson pointed out that the national security law only targets a small group of criminals posing a serious threat to national security and protects all lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents. Since the effective implementation of the national security law and the improved electoral system, Hong Kong has taken on a whole-new look featuring a stable public order, a peaceful life and a refreshing political climate. At present, riding out the fifth Covid-19 wave is the overriding mission in Hong Kong and it has a direct bearing on people’s well-being. With the firm support of the Central Government, the SAR Government is going all out to keep the virus at bay by working with all social sectors. However, some outside actors attacked the Central Government and the SAR Government in an attempt to undermine Hong Kong’s unity and stability and endanger China’s national security. Their act runs counter to the trend of the times and the will of the people and is getting nowhere.

The spokesperson stressed that Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong affairs are sheerly China’s internal affairs. We call on the politicians to cease and desist from violating international law and basic norms governing international relations, terminating collusion with anti-China forces in Hong Kong, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs. Otherwise, the chickens will eventually come home to roost.