The spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR strongly disapproved and firmly rejected US government’s extension and expansion of the deferral of removal of certain Hong Kong residents through a memorandum, which slandered the rule of law and human rights situation in Hong Kong, and attacked the National Security Law for the HKSAR (NSL). In so doing, the US again interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, and trampled on the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

The spokesperson said that with the full support of the Chinese Central Government and the joint efforts of Hong Kong society, Hong Kong is developing along the right track of “one country, two systems”. Since the implementation of the NSL, the SAR has restored social stability and economic vitality, and featured effective governance. What’s more, Hong Kong’s status as a global financial, shipping and trading center has been further strengthened, and it ranks high in global legal, security, and business environment indexes. International capital enjoys stronger confidence in Hong Kong’s future as well. These facts have proved that the NSL fits Hong Kong’s reality, and has played a decisive role in helping Hong Kong to move from chaos to stability and prosperity.

The spokesperson pointed out that in disregard of Hong Kong’s stability, unity and prosperity, the Hong Kong-related memorandum of the US government runs counter to Hong Kong people’s aspiration for greater stability and progress, and aims to provide a safe haven for anti-China forces who left Hong Kong. Such a manipulation of the visa policy has fully exposed the real intention of the US to disrupt Hong Kong.

The spokesperson pointed out that the United States is a sheer scaremonger by vilifying the NSL and exaggerating the so-called “consequences” of the Law in the memorandum. The fact is that under the NSL, only about 230 people have been arrested on suspicion of endangering national security, and only around 30 of them have been found guilty after fair trials in courts. The US tactic cannot mislead fair-minded Hong Kong people or the international community, nor can it damage Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity. Rather, it will only make the world see more clearly the “American double standard”.

The spokesperson reiterated that Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. The Chinese Government is resolute to oppose external interference in Hong Kong affairs, to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, to fully and faithfully implement the policy of “one country, two systems”, and to protect Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability. We strongly urge the US side to stop its wishful thinking of using Hong Kong to contain China and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs in any form!