The election of the sixth-term Chief Executive of the HKSAR has successfully concluded on May 8 with Mr John Lee elected as the Chief Executive designate with a high supporting rate in accordance with law. People from all sectors in the SAR have expressed warm congratulations. However, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and a few other foreign politicians slandered the electoral system of the SAR, the election result and the central government’s policies towards Hong Kong, which interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs and flew in the face of international law and basic norms governing international relations. The spokesperson of the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR expressed strong disapproval and firm rejection, and urged EU politicians to put themselves in the right position, recognize the historical trend, and immediately stop their futile meddling in Hong Kong affairs.

The spokesperson said that the election is of great significance as Hong Kong is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland and the “one country, two systems” policy is entering a new period. As a successful practice in developing democracy with Hong Kong characteristics, the election further implemented the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, showed higher superiority of the new electoral system, and ensured Hong Kong’s moving from chaos to stability and prosperity. It also displayed an upbeat mood of Hong Kong society seeking unity and progress and carried the expectations of all social sectors for a better future, thus opening a new chapter of sound governance in Hong Kong. We would like to congratulate the successful election and Mr John Lee on his winning with a high approval rate.

The spokesperson pointed out that the election is fair and impartial and complies with laws and regulations, and the result testifies to the strong public support to Mr John Lee. Despite all the inconvenience caused by the epidemic, the SAR government organized the election in an orderly way according to law, the candidate carried out his election campaign with a strong sense of responsibility, and the Election Committee performed its duty seriously. They presented to the world an election that features rationality, unity and progress. The election, held under the new electoral system, shows that Hong Kong’s democracy is advancing with the times and is good for Hong Kong’s long-term stability and development. Mr John Lee was elected as the Chief Executive designate with 1416 votes, over 99% of the votes cast, reflecting a huge public favor to Mr John Lee and great political credibility of the election. The result represents the broadest public opinions, and demonstrates the strong consensus of “starting a new chapter for Hong Kong together” among all sectors and classes of Hong Kong society.

The spokesperson said that over the past 25 years, the central government has fully and faithfully implemented the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and “Hong Kong enjoying a high degree of autonomy”. It has firmly safeguarded national sovereignty, security, development interests, and Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. The central government has also resolutely supported the development of democracy with Hong Kong characteristics and protected all the lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by the Hong Kong people. Facts have proved that Hong Kong’s new electoral system is an effective one in line with “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s reality. Facts will also prove in the future that the new Chief Executive elected under the new electoral system will lead the new term of the HKSAR government and people from all walks of life to forge ahead at a new starting point, create a new situation of sound governance in Hong Kong, promote the coordinated development of Hong Kong in economic, political, social and cultural fields, and further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a global financial, trade and shipping center, which is good for the long-term well-being of Hong Kong people and serves the common interests of all international stakeholders, including investors in Hong Kong.

The spokesperson pointed out that some EU politicians, harboring the intention of using Hong Kong to contain China, confused black and white, and vilified the new electoral system and “one country, two systems”. These are their old tricks to wade into Hong Kong affairs under the guise of “democracy”, “human rights” and “freedom”, only showing that they have come to their wit’s end. Any slander of the election result and any interference into Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs are botched political performances that run counter to the global trend and selective blindness to Hong Kong’s genuine public opinion. They cannot deceive the 1.4 billion Chinese people, including all Hong Kong compatriots, cannot reverse the historical trend of Hong Kong’s transition from chaos to stability and prosperity, and cannot weaken the firm determination of the Chinese government to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

The spokesperson stressed that Hong Kong is part of China and the election of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR is purely China’s internal affair. We urge all the external forces who attempt to meddle with China’s internal affairs, including some EU politicians, to recognize the historical trend, change course, reflect on themselves, ditch double standards, abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form, otherwise they will only shoot themselves in the foot.