The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (October 4) strongly deplored and opposed the statement made by the US Department of State on October 3 (local time) regarding the arrests made by the Hong Kong Police on October 1.
      
     A Government spokesman said that the arrests were absolutely lawful and necessary to maintain law and order in society and protect the life and property of Hong Kong residents. It was much regretted that senior US officials continued to adopt "double standards" in expressing utterly irresponsible remarks on law enforcement actions in the HKSAR.
      
     The spokesman said that according to the Hong Kong Bill of Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the freedoms of procession and assembly were not absolute, and might be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law in the interests of public order, public safety and the interests of others, etc.  

     Under section 10 of the Police Force Ordinance (Cap. 232), the Police have the duty to take lawful measures for apprehending all persons whom it is lawful to apprehend and for whose apprehension sufficient grounds exists. 

     If there is evidence that anyone violates the law, no matter what his/her status or background is, he/she must face justice. No one can break the law without facing consequences. As a law enforcement agency, the Police will take action when they come across any unlawful acts in strict accordance with the laws in force.

     The Police have always handled and will continue to handle all cases in a fair, just and impartial manner in accordance with the law.
      
     The spokesman also reiterated the firm commitment of the HKSAR Government to the implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (Basic Law). 
      
     The spokesman said, "Since the return to the Motherland, the Central Government has unswervingly implemented the policy of 'One Country, Two Systems' to effectively maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Hong Kong is consistently high on global rankings for the rule of law."
      
     "The Central People's Government has time and again made it clear that the policy of 'One Country, Two Systems' would be accurately and comprehensively implemented in the HKSAR," the spokesman added.
      
     The HKSAR Government solemnly reminded the US government that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China (PRC), a local administrative region which enjoys a high degree of autonomy and comes directly under the Central People's Government. Hong Kong affairs are internal matters of the PRC. Foreign governments should stop scaremongering and interfering in any form in Hong Kong's affairs.

Ends/Sunday, October 4, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:10

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