The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today expressed strong opposition to the granting of asylum to two Hong Kong fugitives endangering national security who have absconded overseas by Australia and the UK respectively.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki summoned the Consul-General of Australia in Hong Kong Gareth Williams and the British Consul General in Hong Kong Brian Davidson, respectively this afternoon.

At the meeting, Mr Chan solemnly pointed out that the Hong Kong SAR Government opposes any country harbouring offenders in any form and is strongly dissatisfied with any conduct that harbours criminals under any pretext.

He reiterated that such harbouring effectively allows certain individuals or organisations to be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts, which is no different from granting a special privilege to break the law.

“What Australia and the UK have done in harbouring these offenders totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law and is absolutely not conducive to the relationship between the Hong Kong SAR and the two governments.”

Mr Chan stressed to the two countries' consuls-general in Hong Kong that 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 must be held accountable.

As the law enforcement department of the Hong Kong SAR safeguarding national security, the Hong Kong Police are duty-bound to pursue the liability of those who have allegedly endangered national security overseas. Those absconders are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security. It is necessary for the Police to take all lawful measures, including applying to the court for arrest warrants, to strongly combat the acts of abscondment, and such actions are fully justified, necessary and legitimate.

Mr Chan also highlighted that there is no question of political persecution in Hong Kong. He explained that any arrest and prosecution are based on facts and evidence, and is directed against the criminal act and has nothing to do with the political stance, background, thought or speech of the person(s) concerned.

Anyone accused of breaching the law will face an open and fair trial. The Hong Kong courts will, as always, with sound rule of law and human rights protection, handle all cases in an independent, fair and just manner.

Additionally, Mr Chan reiterated that human rights in Hong Kong have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, and that the rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, that Hong Kong residents enjoy shall be protected in accordance with the law.

Regarding organisations and individuals endangering national security, the Hong Kong SAR Government will not condone their criminal acts, and will not give up pursuing them, including adopting all practical measures to bring those fugitives endangering national security who have absconded from Hong Kong to justice.

Mr Chan added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, whilst upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law.

The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly demands that foreign governments immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China's internal affairs.