The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly condemned and opposed the malicious attacks on and the demonisation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and other laws safeguarding national security, as well as the slanderous and fact-distorting remarks made on the city's work in safeguarding national security by foreign politicians, anti-China organisations, and various media outlets on the important occasion of the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the HKNSL.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that anti-China and destabilising forces, organisations or media have made sweepingly generalised and grandstanding comments, completely disregarding the profound historical significance of the HKNSL and its undeniable positive impact on the city.

The statement made it clear that they distorted the facts and made slanderous remarks on the Hong Kong SAR and the HKNSL. They even attempted to interfere with criminal trials conducted in Hong Kong SAR courts, thereby obstructing the course of justice.

It also indicated that they never utter a word about the strict enforcement of national security laws by their own countries and other governments against activities that endanger their national security.

The statement described their actions as despicable political manipulation. It stressed that the Hong Kong SAR Government must sternly denounce their wrongdoing to set the record straight and expose their shameless 'double standards' to the world.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also emphasised that safeguarding national security is a top priority of every country. In accordance with international law and international relations based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice.

Moreover, the statement mentioned that for a considerable period, external forces, through their agents, have conducted infiltration and sabotage activities in Hong Kong, and further instigated the "black-clad violence" and the Hong Kong version of "colour revolution" in 2019, which nearly brought the "one country, two systems" to ruin.

With the promulgation and implementation of the HKNSL, its effect in stopping violence and curbing disorder as well as quickly restoring social stability in the Hong Kong community was immediate.

The statement highlighted that the Hong Kong SAR fulfilled its constitutional duty by enacting the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance last year with broad societal consensus, thereby improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security. This has enabled Hong Kong's transition "from chaos to order" and advancement "from stability to prosperity".

It said the attempts by external forces to "use Hong Kong to contain China" are doomed to fail, leaving them with no option but to smear the HKNSL.

The Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that, over five years of its implementation, the HKNSL has restored the rights and freedoms that Hong Kong citizens were unable to enjoy during the period of "black-clad violence", and has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community at large to swiftly return to normal and the business environment to be restored and improved continuously.

It also stressed that human rights in Hong Kong have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law, adding that the rule of law in Hong Kong is strong and robust, and withstands the test of time.

In addition, the statement noted that, as guaranteed by the Basic Law, the HKNSL and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all defendants charged with a criminal offence shall have the right to a fair trial by the Judiciary exercising independent judicial power. The courts of the Hong Kong SAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.

It also mentioned that foreign politicians, anti-China organisations, and various media have recently continued to make irresponsible and absurd remarks, distorting the truth regarding the national security case involving Lai Chee-ying, as well as his custodial arrangements, with the intention of perverting the course of justice.

The Hong Kong SAR government has repeatedly pointed out that any attempt by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the city by means of political power, to prevent any defendant from receiving a fair trial that they should have, is a blatant act undermining the rule of law of Hong Kong and should be condemned.

The suggestion that persons or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities is tantamount to granting such persons or organisations privileges to break the law, perverting the course of justice, and is totally contrary to the spirit of the rule of law, the Hong Kong SAR Government stated.

The HKSAR Government strongly urges any external forces to immediately stop interfering with the city's internal affairs and the independent exercise of judicial power by the courts of the Hong Kong SAR.

Regarding the custodial arrangements of Lai Chee-ying, the Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy, and has put in place an established mechanism to safeguard the rights of persons-in-custody (PICs), including regular independent visitors, namely Justices of the Peace, who inspect the prisons to ensure the rights of PICs are protected.

The statement specified that the CSD consistently handles matters concerning Lai Chee-ying strictly in accordance with these mechanisms, no differently from other PICs.

Furthermore, it clarified that the arrangement for Lai Chee-ying's removal from association with other PICs has been made at his own request and approved by the CSD after considering all relevant factors in accordance with the law all along.

The statement added that Lai Chee-ying's legal representative has publicly clarified that he is receiving appropriate treatment and care in prison.

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that it will continue to uphold its constitutional duty and steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

The statement said that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to resolutely fulfil its duties and obligations to safeguard national security while simultaneously protecting the lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and others in Hong Kong in accordance with the law.

By ensuring high-quality development with high-level security, a new chapter in the practice of "one country, two systems" would be continuously composed, the statement added.