The spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR strongly disapproved and firmly rejected the so-called “2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices” issued by the US State Department, which smeared the situation of human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and slandered the national security law, the new electoral system, and the SAR Government’s law-based administration. The report is a pure interference into Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs and is nothing but a waste paper full of lies. 

The spokesperson said that the Central Government has always fully, faithfully and resolutely implemented the principles of “one country, two systems” and “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy”. It stays committed to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, development interests and Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, supporting the development of democracy with Hong Kong features, and protecting various lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people. Facts have proved that under the national security law and the new electoral system, China’s national security has been better safeguarded, Hong Kong society more stable and united, the business environment improved, and the rule of law and justice upheld. Hong Kong residents’ rights and freedoms of speech, press and association are better protected in a safer environment. At present, with the full support of the Central Government and the joint efforts of all sectors of Hong Kong society, the SAR Government is making sustained efforts to further improve the economy and people’s life. Hong Kong is moving steadily on the tight track of “one country, two systems”.

The spokesperson pointed out that the so-called “human rights oppression” is only a trumped-up crime out of American prejudice. The American democracy and human rights standards are only a political tool for the US to contain others and seek hegemony. The United States claims itself as a “defender of human rights”, but the fact is that the vicious cycle of democratic pretensions, dysfunctional politics and a divided society continued in the United States. Problems such as money politics, identity politics and social rifts worsened in the United States. Racial discrimination, gun violence, and the gulf between the rich and the poor became more serious in the United States. However, in disregard of its own bad track record of human rights, the United States deliberately spreads political lies and ideological prejudices, and fabricates false narratives about the “degeneration of human rights” in other countries. The United States is in no position to point a finger at the human rights situation of others.

The spokesperson said that the trend of Hong Kong moving from chaos to stability and prosperity is irreversible. With the implementation of China’s 14th Five-year Plan and the Greater Bay Area initiative, Hong Kong is fully integrating itself into the overall national development. No slander can shake the firm determination of the SAR for development, change the strong will of the Chinese Government and the Hong Kong SAR Government to safeguard national security, or stop the historical trend of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s greater prosperity and stability. We urge the US side to immediately stop political performances, stop slandering the human rights situation in Hong Kong, and refrain from interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs under any pretext.