In response to the latest so-called annual report of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China’s (CECC), which blatantly slanders China, including smears of Hong Kong’s One Country, Two Systems principle and its democracy, freedom, and human rights situation, attacks on Hong Kong’s national security laws and the Hong Kong police’s law enforcement actions, defends anti-China elements destabilizing Hong Kong, and calls for sanctions against Hong Kong, the spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong expressed firm opposition and strong condemnation.

The spokesperson stated that there is no universally applicable standard for democracy and only the democracy that suits one’s own realities is a good democracy. Any unbiased observer can see that since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the One Country, Two Systems framework has been continuously improved, and its practice has achieved remarkable success. The democracy, freedoms and human rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents have been protected like never before. The Hong Kong national security laws fully respect and protect human rights, providing a solid guarantee for Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability. The recent successful election of the eighth Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR saw fierce competition among candidates from diverse backgrounds, classes, and industries, fully demonstrating broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation, and fair competition and showcasing a new era of high-quality democracy that aligns with Hong Kong’s realities.

The spokesperson emphasized that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, where everyone is equal before the law, and no one has privileges. Those who violate the law must be held accountable. Lai Chee-ying and other ringleaders of the anti-China elements destabilizing Hong Kong planned and instigated a series of events to make riot in the city, colluded with foreign anti-China forces, and begged for foreign sanctions. They openly challenged the bottom line of One Country, Two Systems and seriously endangered national security. The evidence of their crimes is conclusive. The Hong Kong SAR judiciary handled the relevant cases in accordance with the law, and the procedures were fair, open, and transparent. The Hong Kong SAR police’s law enforcement against overseas anti-China and pro-chaos elements was legitimate and entirely justified.

The spokesperson pointed out that some American politicians, ignoring their own country’s poor record of democracy, freedom, and human rights, and its social chaos, still act as self-proclaimed “teachers” and made irresponsible remarks about Hong Kong. This is utterly shameless. These politicians constantly talk about the “rule of law”, yet openly interfere in Hong Kong's judicial process, revealing their hypocritical double standards and their sinister intention to undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. We solemnly warn these politicians that Hong Kong has embarked on a path of progress from governance to prosperity, and attempts to deny the successful implementation of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong through so-called reports are pure delusion. Their political schemes to smear and interfere in Hong Kong will inevitably face a resolute and forceful counterattack and are doomed to failure.