The spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR strongly disapproved and firmly rejected the 2023 Hong Kong Policy Act Report issued by the US government and the statement made by US State Secretary Antony Blinken, which discredited the successful practice of “one country, two systems”, the national security law and Hong Kong’s new electoral system, and slandered the rule of law, democracy, freedom and human rights in Hong Kong. They also interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, and violated principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations.

The spokesperson said that the Chinese 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”. Under the national security law and the new electoral system, Hong Kong’s public order is restored, the rule of law safeguarded, justice upheld, and lawful rights of Hong Kong citizens better protected in a safer environment. With patriots administering Hong Kong, the city has now moved into greater prosperity and opened a new chapter in good governance. Hong Kong people are living a happier life and global investors are casting their votes of confidence in Hong Kong with concrete actions. Facts have proved that the national security law is a law that safeguards Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability and the security of the country and also enjoys wide public support. What has happened also shows that the new electoral system is a good system that is in line with the principle of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s situation.

The spokesperson stressed that no one has the privilege to be above the law, and no rights and freedoms should damage the public interest. The rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong are constitutionally guaranteed by the basic law, and the police and judiciary of the SAR both act in strict accordance with law. Hong Kong’s ranking in the 2022 Legal Index remains high, ahead of some Western countries that often point a finger at the rule of law and human rights in Hong Kong. It is a serious contempt for and trampling on the legal spirit for the US to sugarcoat anti-China forces in Hong Kong and undermine Hong Kong’s judicial system under the pretext of “protecting Hong Kong’s rule of law”.

The spokesperson pointed out that those who like judging others cannot be fair. The US itself has a rigorous national security system, but attacks China’s legitimate measures to safeguard national security and exaggerates the chilling effect of the national security law. The US itself has a tarnished track record of democracy, but is obsessed with vilifying the situation of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong. The naked double standard and bullying acts of the US only exposed its dark mentality of seeking to disrupt Hong Kong, and its ulterior motive of using Hong Kong to contain China under the guise of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

The spokesperson stressed that Hong Kong is part of China. The Chinese government is fully determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, are resolute in opposing power politics and foreign interference. At present, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has become an irreversible trend, Chinese-style modernization has brought huge opportunities for Hong Kong, and “one country, two systems” has a brighter prospect. In the face of these unstoppable historical trends, all smear, pressure, and sanctions are futile. We urge the US side to recognize the facts, mind its own business, stop all self-humiliating moves, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form.