On August 21, the judicial authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) lawfully convicted the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (the “Alliance”) and its members LEE Cheuk-yan, HO Chun-yan and CHOW Hang-tung of “Incitement to subversion”. Following the verdict, official representatives and certain politicians of few countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union made unwarranted comments, smearing Hong Kong's rule of law and freedom. In response, the spokesperson of the Commissioner’s Office voiced strong dissatisfaction, firm opposition and stern condemnation.
The spokesperson pointed out that the Constitution of China explicitly provides that the Communist Party of China exercises governance and occupies the core leadership position. The essence of the Alliance's “Action Agendas” is to subvert the State power. The Alliance and the other defendants have long publicly advocated “ending one-party dictatorship”, vainly attempting to overthrow the leadership of the Communist Party of China established under the Constitution and to overturn and undermine the fundamental system of the country.
The spokesperson noted that the defendants have long employed various means to provoke sentiments such as hostility, hatred and disgust among the people towards the State power, inciting the public to overthrow the leadership of the Communist Party of China and undermine the fundamental system of the country. The criminal facts are supported by conclusive evidence. Such conduct poses a challenge, both at the ideological and practical levels, to the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the authority of government governance, endangers the country's constitutional order, and constitutes a real danger to social stability.
The spokesperson emphasized that the substantive nature of the Alliance case is inciting subversion of state power. Since its inception, the Alliance has never ceased to incite hatred against the Communist Party of China and the Central Government, wantonly challenging the bottom line of national security. The Alliance's actions have seriously damaged the fundamental interests of the country and Hong Kong, and such behavior would not be tolerated in any country or region.
The spokesperson reaffirmed that freedom of speech has legal boundaries. Both the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance expressly provide that safeguarding national security shall be conducted with respect for and protection of human rights, and shall lawfully protect the rights and freedoms of speech, press and publication enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong. However, these rights and freedoms are not absolute, and must be premised on compliance with the responsibilities and obligations to safeguard national security and public order.
The spokesperson stressed that it is entirely lawful and justified for the SAR Government to combat acts endangering national security, and this is firmly supported by the Central Government and all sectors of Hong Kong society. Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, and no one shall be allowed to engage in unlawful activities under the pretext of "freedom of speech and press" and attempt to evade legal sanction. The Alliance case is an internal affair of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference. No amount of external smears and defamation can shake the staunch resolve of the Central Government and the SAR Government to safeguard national sovereignty and security, nor can they block the historical trend of Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order and then to prosperity. We solemnly warn the countries, the organization and individual politicians concerned to recognize the reality, earnestly respect the spirit of the rule of law, abide by international law and the basic norms of international relations, rein in their actions at the brink of the precipice, and immediately cease interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in any form.
(Translation)