HKSARG responds to US report |
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In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government made the following response today (November 14) to a report issued by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission: "Since the return to the Motherland, the HKSAR has been exercising 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law. The 'one country, two systems' principle has been fully and successfully implemented. "The Basic Law clearly stipulates that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Any suggestion for 'Hong Kong's independence' is a blatant violation of the Basic Law and a direct affront to the national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the PRC. 'Hong Kong's independence' runs counter to the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems' and undermines the HKSAR's constitutional and legal foundations as enshrined in the Basic Law. The HKSAR Government attaches great importance to freedom of speech, and such freedom is also protected by the Basic Law. However, relevant international human rights convention and court cases have clearly pointed out that freedom of speech is not absolute. The HKSAR Government has made clear that there is no room for discussing 'Hong Kong's independence'. "For other issues mentioned in the report, including the Legislative Council By-election in March 2018, the handling of a fugitive surrender request made by the United States Government, and the co-location arrangement of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, etc, the HKSAR Government reiterates that it has all along been handling Hong Kong affairs strictly in accordance with the 'one country, two systems' principle, the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government has also all along upheld freedom of the press. "Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong is a separate customs territory and we remain committed to enforcing strategic trade controls. Hong Kong has, and will continue to maintain, close co-operation with the United States on the matter. "The HKSAR Government expresses regret over the biased conclusions and unfounded accusations made in the report. The HKSAR Government reiterates that foreign legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR." Ends/Wednesday, November 14, 2018 Issued at HKT 23:58 NNNN |