The spokesperson of the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR strongly condemned and firmly rejected a statement issued by the US State Department, which smeared Hong Kong police’s necessary law enforcement actions to safeguard national security and grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs.

The spokesperson said that since the implementation of the national security law, the lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents have been fully protected in a more secure environment, but no rights and freedoms can break through the bottom line of national security. No country will turn a blind eye to acts endangering national security. It is a common practice for all countries to maintain national security by enforcing laws and holding law-breakers accountable. Some anti-China elements are suspected of inciting to split the country and colluding with foreign or overseas forces to endanger national security. The police take necessary investigation and law enforcement actions towards personnel associated with them in accordance with law, which is legitimate and beyond reproach.

The spokesperson pointed out that the US side's own national security legislation is airtight, but it frequently imposes long-arm jurisdiction and illegal unilateral sanctions on other countries, and suppresses dissidents through various despicable means. The label of “transnational repression” more fits the United States than any other countries. Instead of self-examination, the United States blamed the HKSAR for its legitimate law enforcement and voiced grievances for the anti-China elements in Hong Kong. What it did was a naked trampling on the rule of law in the SAR, and reflects its ideological prejudice and sinister intention to disrupt Hong Kong and China.

The spokesperson stressed that the common will of people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to safeguard the rule of law and order and the prosperity and stability of the SAR is unswerving, and the Chinese Government and people are also determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. We urge the US side to do away with the hypocritical double standard, stop the botched political performance, withdraw the “black hand” that interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, and stop the wishful thinking of damaging the implementation of the national security law.