The spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR strongly disapproved and deplored the rhetoric of the US Consul General in Hong Kong, who slandered the rule of law and freedom in Hong Kong, attacked the national security law (NSL) and the legislative interpretation by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) on the NSL, and discredited Hong Kong’s business environment at a seminar on Hong Kong’s economic prospect organized by a US think tank.

The spokesperson said that in the 25 years since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the Chinese Central Government has stayed committed to fully, accurately and resolutely implementing the policies of “one country, two systems” and “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy”, and strongly protected lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents. It has been globally recognized that the practice of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong is a great success. At present, Hong Kong is in a new period moving from chaos to stability and prosperity. Under this stage, the new-term SAR government is joining hands with all social sectors to safeguard national security, restore economic vitality, and meet people’s needs. What’s more, executive and legislative branches have positive interactions with each other, the judiciary exercises power independently in accordance with law, opening a new chapter of good governance in Hong Kong. In this new era and new journey, Hong Kong enjoys a promising future and has much to contribute to the world !

The spokesperson pointed out that the NSL plugs legal loopholes of Hong Kong in safeguarding national security, targets a very small number of criminal suspects, and protects the interests of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong residents. On economy, since the implementation of the NSL, Hong Kong’s position as a global financial, trading and shipping center has been consolidated, and its high degree of freedom and openness as well as a world-class business climate further elevated, as evidenced by its rating as the freest economy in the world again in 2022. On the rule of law, Hong Kong has a clear cutting-edge and ranks high in the global legal index. On the freedom of the press, it is better protected under a safe, stable and law-based environment, and the number of international media agencies and journalists in Hong Kong has further increased. All the facts have proved that the NSL defends national security, creates a better environment for a happier life, and gains popular support. The law has become the “guardian” of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. On top of that, the interpretation by the NPCSC on the NSL last month clarified the original legislative intent and improved the enforcement mechanism for the SAR to safeguard national security, providing clearer pathways for the SAR to address problems encountered in the implementation of the NSL. The interpretation is a completely legitimate, necessary, timely and lawful act, and has been welcomed and supported by all social sectors in Hong Kong.

The spokesperson stressed that people across the world have seen through and despise the hypocrisy of the United States and the US is in no position to call itself a “beacon of democracy”, “defender of human rights”, or to lecture others in a condescending manner. Gregory May, as a senior diplomat representing the US government in Hong Kong, is attempting to damage a place where the interests of the US itself are at stake. In disregard of Hong Kong’s stability and unity, and the principle of international law and the basic norm governing international relations of non-interference, he vilified Hong Kong’s rule of law and freedom, showed support for anti-China forces in Hong Kong, and talked down Hong Kong’s development prospect, which only exposed his sinister intention of disrupting Hong Kong and containing China. Facts speak louder than words. His ill-intended plot will only fall flat again.

The spokesperson reiterated that as a super connector between China and the world, Hong Kong should be a “hot land” for friendly cooperation between China and other countries, not a “frontier” for a “new cold war”. In front of the irreversible trend of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, anyone who tries to curb China or hinder Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity is overestimating his strength and can no way succeed. We urge the relevant US officials to revisit the lessons of the past and not to be the Aunt Sally. With a terrible playbook at hand, the harder the actors play, the sooner they find themselves humiliated!