The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects the US Senate's so-called resolution related to Hong Kong, which contains unfounded remarks and smears against the National Security Law (NSL) and the situation in the city covering rights and freedoms and the rule of law.

In a statement this evening, the Hong Kong SAR Government rebuked remarks in the so-called resolution about the implementation of the NSL in the Hong Kong SAR which amount to fact-twisting and political smearing.

It said: “Since the implementation of the NSL in June 2020, the US politicians have been repeatedly exploiting different incidents and occasions as well as creating excuses to slander the NSL and attack the Hong Kong SAR in its dutiful, faithful and lawful implementation of the NSL.

“They neglect the fact that the implementation of the NSL has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community at large to resume as normal and the business environment to be restored.

“Hong Kong suffered from the widespread black-clad violence in 2019. The US politicians did not say a word about those acts, which disregarded the law, breached peace and challenged the Hong Kong SAR's authority, with severe damage caused to Hong Kong's society, economy and business environment.

“Through the so-called resolution, the US politicians once again performed a despicable manoeuvre with politics prevailing over the law, exposing their hypocrisy with double standards. Their vile conspiracy of using Hong Kong to contain China is doomed to fail.”

The Hong Kong SAR Government also pointed out that the US politicians suggested in the so-called resolution that people, institutions and organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities, adding that this is tantamount to granting privileges to them to break the law and is totally contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.

Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers held accountable. The city's judicial system has always been highly regarded by international communities.

The NSL clearly stipulates four categories of offences that endanger national security. So long as people, institutions or organisations strictly observe the laws in the city, they will not unwittingly violate the law.

“All law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies under the NSL or any local legislation are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and for the acts of the people, institutions and organisations concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.

“The Department of Justice is in charge of criminal prosecutions, free from any interference by virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law. All prosecution decisions are based on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws. The Judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law and all those facing criminal charges have the right to a fair trial.

“Any attempt by any country, organisation or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in Hong Kong by means of political power, in order to procure a defendant's evasion of the criminal justice process, is a blatant act undermining the rule of law of Hong Kong.

“Making a statement with the intent to interfere with or obstruct the course of justice or engaging in conduct with the same intent, is very likely to constitute the offence of criminal contempt of court or the offence of perverting the course of justice.”

The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that it steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and upholds the authority of the NSL.

It added that it resolutely carries out its duties and obligations to safeguard national security in accordance with the law, and upholds the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people as protected under the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”.

Anyone's attempt to undermine the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong by slandering the situation in the city will only expose his own weakness and faulty arguments and be doomed to fail.

The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly urges the US politicians to immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs at large.