Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen will not join a signature campaign organised by a group of Hong Kong legal practitioners to support arrested Mainland human rights lawyers.
Mr Yuen said the powers and duties of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials are confined to matters within the autonomy of the HKSAR.
Officials should not act beyond their authority and intervene in matters beyond the jurisdiction of the HKSAR, including Mainland affairs.
Also, under "one country, two systems" HKSAR and Mainland officials should have mutual respect for each other's systems, and handle their own affairs within their respective purview.
While Hong Kong citizens do not want Mainland officials to intervene in affairs within the autonomy of Hong Kong, HKSAR Government officials likewise should not intervene in matters that are exclusively within the purview of the Mainland authorities.
Mr Yuen said his participation in a signature campaign in May on constitutional development was fully consistent with his official duties and roles, and does not involve any comments or intervention on Mainland affairs.
