The spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR strongly disapproved and firmly rejected a report fabricated by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong, which interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs by undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong and showing support for anti-China forces under the guise of press freedom.

The spokesperson said that Hong Kong can be secure only when the country is secure. Under the national security law, Hong Kong’s public order is restored, the rule of law upheld, development back on track, and all lawful rights of Hong Kong residents protected, including the freedom of the press and speech. Media outlets in Hong Kong are operating in a more secure, stable and law-based environment, and the number of foreign media agencies and journalists in the city has only increased. Facts have proved that the national security law effectively safeguards the safety and stability of Hong Kong. Nonetheless, some British politicians have turned a blind eye to the facts and smeared the national security law and Hong Kong’s press freedom. Facts in Hong Kong speak for themselves and the lies of these British politicians will deceive no one.

The spokesperson pointed out that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law where laws must be observed and lawbreakers held accountable. No one has the privilege to be above the law. The SAR Government and Hong Kong courts’ prosecution and trial of the Jimmy Lai case are totally legitimate and necessary for safeguarding national security, the rule of law and public order in Hong Kong, which brook no foreign interference. The more external forces support and whitewash Jimmy Lai, the sooner they disclose their connection with anti-China elements in Hong Kong and their malicious intention to harm China’s security as well as Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. However, just as the high mountains cannot stop the river from flowing to the ocean,some British politicians are engaging in wishful thinking by trying to use the Jimmy Lai case to interfere in the administration of the SAR, undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong, and clamor for sanctioning Chinese officials.

The spokesperson reiterated that Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. China is resolute in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and in fully and faithfully implementing “one country, two systems”. We urge that small group of British politicians to recognize the reality and the historical trend, abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop damaging Hong Kong’s rule of law under the pretext of press freedom.