HKSARG responds to US report
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"Since the return to the Motherland, the HKSAR has been exercising a high degree of autonomy and 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' in strict accordance with the Basic Law. This demonstrates the full and successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle, which has been widely recognised by the international community.
"The Basic Law clearly stipulates that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China (PRC). '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 the 'one country, two systems' principle 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, which is also protected by the Basic Law. However, both the relevant international human rights convention and court cases clearly point out that freedom of speech is not absolute. The HKSAR Government has also repeatedly stated that there is no room for discussing 'Hong Kong's independence'.
"For other issues mentioned in the report, including the Legislative Council (LegCo) By-election in March 2018, an election petition lodged against the results of the 2016 LegCo General Election, 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. There is no question of 'political screening' as alleged by the report.
"The HKSAR Government expresses regret over the biased conclusions and unfounded accusations made by the report. The HKSAR Government reiterates that foreign legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR."
Ends/Thursday, October 11, 2018
Issued at HKT 2:28
Issued at HKT 2:28
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