The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly opposed the US Government's untruthful accusation against the court verdict on the fraud case involving Lai Chee-ying, which was given in accordance with the law.

While noting it would not be appropriate to comment on the details of the case as the legal proceedings are ongoing, the Hong Kong SAR Government said in a statement that it strongly objects to the US Government's remarks which deviate from the truth and are purely politically oriented.

All law enforcement actions taken by the law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and for the acts of the people concerned, and have absolutely nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation, the statement said.

The Department of Justice controls criminal prosecutions free from any interference by virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law, and all prosecutorial decisions are based on objective assessment of all admissible evidence and applicable laws. The Judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing.

The Hong Kong SAR Government has been steadfastly upholding the rights and freedoms enjoyed by its residents as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, including press freedom and freedom of speech, the statement noted.

It also pointed out that, as internationally recognised, freedom of speech and press freedom are not absolute, and people who claim to be engaged in journalism, like other people, cannot be exempted from their obligation to abide by the law, in particular criminal law.

Foreign politicians who deliberately turn a blind eye to the reasons for the court verdict and make unfair and biased comments on it based merely on the outcomes of cases that are not in line with their political interests, not only reveal their ignorance, cowardice, unfairness, arrogance and disregard of the law, but also make their attempts futile, the statement added.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said that since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law on June 30, 2020, the US Government has been exploiting different incidents and making up excuses to slander the security law and attack China and the Hong Kong SAR in their dutiful, faithful and lawful implementation of the security law, laying bare its overbearing and domineering attitude.

The thinking of the US Government that to repeat a lie numerous times will turn it into a truth simply reflects its malicious and ill intent, the statement emphasised, adding that since the implementation of the National Security Law, Hong Kong has moved from chaos to stability, and is steadily heading from stability to prosperity.

Hong Kong has the irreplaceably distinct advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. Any attempt by external forces to undermine its prosperity and stability by slandering the rule of law and freedoms in the Hong Kong SAR will only expose their weakness and faulty arguments.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to discharge its duty to steadfastly safeguard "one country, two systems" to better serve our citizens and promote Hong Kong's progress, it added.