HKSAR strongly condemns remarks by US diplomat smearing national security law for Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government strongly condemned on late Thursday night the latest remarks made by US Consul General to Hong Kong Gregory May that totally disregarded the spirit of the rule of law and deliberately misled the public and smeared the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong and the work of the HKSAR safeguarding national security including the case of Jimmy Lai.
With at least 21 pieces of laws in the US safeguarding national security, US politicians have displayed hypocrisy and exposed their double standards by pointing fingers at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security, while entirely disregarding the constitutional duty and practical needs of the HKSAR to legislate, and the positive effects brought by the enactment of the relevant national security legislation on economic development and protection of human rights, a spokesperson from the HKSAR government said.
The American diplomat in Hong Kong on Thursday criticized Hong Kong's national security law and the jailing of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, and engaging in the so-called "transnational repression" of activists abroad, Reuters reported.
As the legal proceedings of the case involving Lai are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case, the Hong Kong spokesperson said. The HKSAR government strongly urges US politicians to immediately stop interfering in the HKSAR's internal affairs and the independent exercise of judicial power by the courts of the HKSAR, the spokesperson added.
May also criticized attempts by Hong Kong authorities to "pressure overseas Hong Kong activists" including the issuing of arrest warrants for national security violations and offering bounties of HK$1 million ($127,393) each, Reuters said.
Extraterritorial effect for the offences under the NSL for Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions, the HKSAR government spokesperson said.
It is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world. As the law enforcement department of the HKSAR safeguarding national security, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) are duty bound to pursue the liability of those who have endangered national security overseas, the spokesperson said.
Those absconders hiding in the US and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security, including inciting secession and requesting foreign countries to impose "sanctions" or blockade and engage in other hostile activities against the country and the HKSAR, the spokesperson continued.
More so, they continue to collude with external forces to cover for their evil deeds. It is necessary for the HKPF to take all lawful measures to strongly combat the acts of abscondment, and such actions are fully justified, necessary and legitimate, the spokesperson said.