Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly condemns certain members of the US House of Representatives for attempting to pervert the course of justice by twisting the facts regarding the case of Lai Chee-ying and his custodial arrangements.
In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said that a “resolution” introduced by the members attacks and smears Hong Kong, the “one country, two systems” principle, and the city’s attempts to safeguard national security and protect human rights.
The statement emphasised that as legal proceedings in Mr Lai’s case – in which he is charged with offences under the National Security Law – are still ongoing, it is therefore inappropriate to comment on the case. Doing so interferes with the court’s exercise of independent judicial power, may pervert the course of justice, and disregards the spirit of the rule of law, it said.
It outlined that the “resolution” baselessly alleges that Mr Lai has been subjected to inhumane treatment in custody, while turning a blind eye to various human rights violations occurring domestically in the US. It said this amounts to blatant hypocrisy and double standards.
The Hong Kong SAR Government iterated that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China and a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under “one country, two systems” and under the central government. It said that the legal basis for “one country, two systems” comprises the Constitution and the Basic Law, which guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to equality before the law, as buttressed by the rule of law and independent judicial power.
The statement added that the Hong Kong SAR Government steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to the highest principle of “one country, two systems”.
It emphasised that the laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong are precisely intended to safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and to ensure the full and faithful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”, under which Hong Kong people administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy.
The Hong Kong SAR Government said that it acts, in accordance with the law, to resolutely and effectively prevent, suppress, and punish actions that endanger national security, while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.
It said it strongly urges the US politicians concerned to discern fact from fallacies, respect international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in matters which are purely China’s internal affairs.