The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly condemns an unfounded and biased statement by G7 foreign ministers and the High Representative of the European Union (EU).

It highlighted that the statement deliberately tried to mislead the public and smear the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that it is the constitutional duty of the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security. In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states.

Many common law jurisdictions, including western countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as Singapore, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation to safeguard national security. The Hong Kong SAR Government said the G7 foreign ministers and the EU High Representative demonstrated typical political hegemony, hypocrisy and double standards by overlooking this and making exaggerated remarks.

It added that during the public consultation for the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, 98.6% of opinions submitted showed support and gave positive comments, reflecting a strong consensus in society in favour of the legislation.

It stressed that the offences endangering national security stipulated by the ordinance target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements of and penalties attached to the offences with clarity. In addition, the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond reasonable doubt that a defendant demonstrated actus reus and mens rea in relation to an offence before he or she can be convicted.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also emphasised that the ordinance will not affect normal business operations and normal exchanges involving local institutions, organisations and individuals. It said law-abiding people will not engage in acts and activities endangering national security and will not unwittingly violate the law.

It added that the ordinance clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law, as well as the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, are to be protected in accordance with the law.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said the G7 foreign ministers and the EU High Representative had neglected these provisions and lashed out wantonly, fully exposing their malicious intentions.

It urged these foreign governments to give up their ulterior motives and stop smearing Hong Kong and interfering in its affairs, which are the internal affairs of China.

Foreign governments should also refrain from scaremongering and ensure that their remarks concerning the NSL and the ordinance are fair and just, it added.

The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that the core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is about China’s resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and does not authorise the UK to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs following its return to the motherland.

The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong, it added.