The spokesperson of the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR firmly rejected and strongly condemned the misleading comments of G7 foreign ministers and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, which smeared the sixth-term Chief Executive election of the HKSAR, the central government’s policies towards Hong Kong, and Hong Kong’s new electoral system, and interfered in China’s internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs.
The spokesperson pointed out that Mr John Lee’s winning as the Chief Executive designate with a high supporting rate fully reflected the great support to him by Hong Kong society. This successful election showed the new atmosphere under the new electoral system, displayed an upbeat mood of Hong Kong seeking unity and progress, and once again demonstrated the superiority of the new electoral system. More than 1400 representatives, elected by various sectors, cast their votes in the election, and they widely represent different industries and interest groups. The election is a whole-process democratic practice that fits Hong Kong’s reality and features Hong Kong characteristics.
The spokesperson said that the new electoral system of the SAR fully and faithfully implements the policy of “one country, two systems” and the Basic Law, enforces the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, and develops quality democracy with Hong Kong characteristics. It ensures that Hong Kong people are the masters of their own affairs, and sees to it that elections in Hong Kong could reflect public opinions and aspirations. It also integrates all elements of democracy— process and outcome, procedural and substantive, direct and indirect. Hong Kong’s democracy is a representative, genuine and effective democracy.
The spokesperson pointed out that the so-called “democratic elections” in some Western countries are essentially “elite” elections and political shows in which money talks. These countries only care about the election cycle, political party interests, and group interests. They know how to look good during campaigning but fail to govern effectively after being elected. They don’t have in mind the fundamental and long-term interests of their people, which usually result in short-sighted policies and inefficient governance. Ignoring the structural deficiencies of their own democratic system and claiming to be “models of democracy”, these pretentious countries are obsessed with pointing a finger at the democracy and human rights situation of others, and engaging in “wolf-pack tactics” to interfere in others’ internal affairs. They have lost their already crumbling decency, and will shoot themselves in the foot.
The spokesperson stressed that we fully believe that the patriotic governance team elected under the new electoral system will unite and lead all sectors of Hong Kong society to open a new chapter for the city, and Hong Kong will certainly embrace new glory at a new starting point. Any attempt to undermine Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability will be in vain. We urge the G7 politicians to respect the historical trend, abide by the principles of international law such as non-interference in others’ internal affairs and the basic norms governing international relations, discard ideological prejudices and hypocrisy, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form, and no longer damage Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.