The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly opposes the unfounded and ridiculous allegations against it made by foreign countries through various reports.

The Hong Kong SAR Government made the statement today in response to the remarks on Hong Kong in the UK’s Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong and the US Hong Kong Policy Act Report.

The Hong Kong SAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, is a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under “one country, two systems” and comes directly under the Central People's Government.

The system to be adopted in the Hong Kong SAR, as well as how to implement the PRC's basic policies regarding Hong Kong, is purely within the ambit of the sovereignty of the PRC and an internal matter of the country.

The Hong Kong SAR Government urges foreign countries to stop interfering in the internal affairs of China through issues related to Hong Kong.

Regarding the 2021 Legislative Council General Election, the statement pointed out that the poll was an important election held after the improvements to the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR which fully implements the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.

“The election was conducted in accordance with the law, and was open, fair, honest and efficient.

“The seventh-term Legislative Council was formed smoothly through elections. With over 1.3 million voters casting their ballots to elect 90 members from 153 candidates of different backgrounds and political views, it manifests the broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition of the new electoral system.”

The Hong Kong SAR Government takes great exceptions to the unfounded allegations against the National Security Law (NSL).

It said following the implementation of the law, chaos stopped and stability has been restored in Hong Kong.

It reiterates that all law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies under the National Security Law, or indeed any local legislation, are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and for the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.

With respect to judicial independence, the statement said: “the Hong Kong SAR is proud of its unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, which underpin the city's success as an international business and financial centre.

“Judicial independence in Hong Kong after the implementation of the NSL remains as robust as ever. The independence of the judiciary is constitutionally guaranteed under the Basic Law.”

The statement also noted that since the city's reunification with the motherland, the Hong Kong SAR Government has been firmly committed to safeguarding the freedoms of the press and speech, both of which are protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also pointed out that the media landscape in Hong Kong is as vibrant as ever.

A total of 211 media organisations, be they based locally, in the Mainland or overseas, are registered with the Information Services Department's Government News & Media Information System at present, showing an increase after the implementation of the NSL.

“As always, the media can exercise their right to monitor the Hong Kong SAR Government's work, and their freedom of commenting on or even criticising government policies remains uninhibited as long as this is not in violation of the law.”