Govt opposes US sanctions

2020-11-12 00:29:23

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly opposed the so-called sanctions by the US Government against four officials of the Central People's Government (CPG) and the Hong Kong SAR Government.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it is not intimidated by the US' despicable behaviour. It will resolutely continue to implement the National Security Law in the city and safeguard national security without fear.

It stressed that the Hong Kong SAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, adding that it is a local administrative region which enjoys a high degree of autonomy and comes directly under the CPG.

The US Government's repeated blatant and barbaric interference in the Hong Kong SAR's internal affairs is a vivid example of an unreasonable bullying act against the CPG and the Hong Kong SAR Government officials who safeguard national security.

This will undermine Hong Kong-US relations at various levels and is resented by many people locally and around the world, it noted.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also pointed out that national security is of utmost importance to any state, including the US. Laws governing national security are matters for the sovereign state and relevant enforcement falls under the purview of the central authorities.

The National Security Law enacted on June 30 by the National People's Congress Standing Committee is in line with all these general features, and in recognition of the Hong Kong SAR's special status, authorises the Hong Kong SAR Government to be the main enforcement entity.

According to Article 4 of the National Security Law, human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law as well as the provisions in international covenants as applied to Hong Kong shall be protected in accordance with the law.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said these legal provisions as well as the rule of law and the independent judiciary in the Hong Kong SAR are clearly ignored by relevant US officials who have chosen to make unsubstantiated and sweeping comments.

Noting that Police have a statutory duty to maintain public safety and order, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the arrests made by Police were based on evidence and strictly according to the laws. No one has the privilege to break the law without facing consequences.

Police will continue to handle all cases in a fair, just and impartial manner in accordance with the law, it added.

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