The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly disapproved of and opposed recent remarks by individual members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations regarding the case endangering national security involving Lai Chee-ying and the treatment provided to him during his custody, including absurd and fact-twisting comments intended to pervert the course of justice.

It said their malicious intentions to smear and attack the Hong Kong SAR Government and challenge the bottom line of the "one country, two systems" principle are blatantly obvious and must be sternly denounced to set the record straight.

The Hong Kong SAR Government has emphasised time and again that as the legal proceedings involving Lai Chee-ying are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the case in an attempt to interfere with the court to exercise judicial power independently, which might otherwise constitute perverting the course of justice.

In addition, the suggestion that any persons or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities is tantamount to granting such persons privileges to break the law and is totally contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.

It pointed out that external forces continue to distort the truth, blatantly discredit the judicial system and trials of the Hong Kong SAR, in an attempt to glorify criminal behaviour and exert pressure on the courts of the Hong Kong SAR. The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly urged relevant US politicians to respect the basic principles of the rule of law and judicial independence and immediately stop the above despicable political manipulation.

It added that regardless of the identities, ages and nationalities of persons-in-custody (PICs), the Correctional Services Department (CSD) is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy, and that an environment with good ventilation, as well as appropriate and timely medical support will be provided.

If inmates require further examination and treatment, they will be referred to specialist medical staff or to public hospitals for further follow-up. The CSD has also put in place an established mechanism to ensure the rights of PICs are protected.

The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that the CSD adopts the above arrangements when handling matters related to Lai Chee-ying, which are no different from those applicable to other PICs.

It also highlighted that during an earlier open court hearing, senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying clearly presented to the court that the correctional institutions arrange daily medical checkups for Lai Chee-ying and that there had been no complaints at all regarding the medical care he receives there. The Court commended the CSD while the Department of Justice stated that the prosecution is equally concerned about Lai Chee-ying's health and well-being.

Therefore, the CSD has arranged for a professional medical team to be on standby on the spot, ready to respond to any emergency immediately if needed.

While external forces and anti-China media chose to turn a blind eye to these facts, and continued to repeat lies and engage in despicable operations, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it must sternly denounce their wrongdoings.

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

“The remarks by these external forces regarding Lai Chee-ying's solitary confinement are completely fact-twisting, reflecting a malicious intention to smear and attack the Hong Kong SAR Government.”

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised it will continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security, effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law, and safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law at the same time.

It strongly urged all external forces to immediately stop interfering in the Hong Kong SAR's internal affairs and the independent exercise of judicial power by the courts of the Hong Kong SAR.