The spokesperson of the Commissioner’s Office strongly condemned and firmly opposed the guidance on 2023 overseas business risk: Hong Kong updated by the British government, which stigmatized the National Security Law for the HKSAR and Hong Kong’s new electoral system, slandered the democracy, freedom and human rights situation in Hong Kong, smeared the successful practice of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong, and interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs.

The spokesperson said that since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the Chinese Government has fully, faithfully and resolutely implemented the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and “Hong Kong enjoying a high degree of autonomy”. Under the national security law and the new electoral system, Hong Kong society has become stable, the government’s efficiency of governance has been improved, and the lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, such as the freedom of speech, press and association, have been better protected in a safer environment. Hong Kong’s business environment is better and more stable, and investors from all countries are more confident. At present, Hong Kong enjoys better governance and greater prosperity, and its prospects are even brighter. The UK report confuses right and wrong, views Hong Kong with a gloomy filter, and has no credibility at all.

The spokesperson pointed out that the legal basis for the Chinese Government to govern Hong Kong is the Chinese Constitution and Hong Kong’s basic law, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The core essence of the Joint Declaration is Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and relevant arrangements during the transition period. There are eight provisions and three annexes in the Declaration and none of them confer any responsibility on the UK to Hong Kong after the return of Hong Kong. The British side distorts history and legal principles by citing the Declaration to point a finger at Hong Kong affairs.

The spokesperson stressed that the person who comes to spread rumour is himself the culprit of such foul deeds. The National Security Act recently passed by the British Parliament covers a much wider range of areas than national security laws of other countries and the enforcement of the Act is stricter than others. The UK's own national security barrier is airtight, but it pours dirty water on China's reasonable and legitimate measures to safeguard national security; its own democracy is in chaos, but it is obsessed with smearing the situation of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong. Behind the double standard are deep-rooted ideological prejudices, dark and outdated colonialist mentality and the strategic myth of “using Hong Kong to contain China”.

The spokesperson said that Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. External intervention cannot shake China's firm determination to fully and faithfully implement "one country, two systems", cannot shake China's strong will to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and cannot change the historical trend of Hong Kong moving from chaos to stability and prosperity. We urge the British side to clearly recognize the reality, follow the historical trend, stop colonial nostalgia and self-humiliating farce, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in any form.