HKSAR Government's response to media enquiries

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     In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said today (December 10) that the HKSAR Government strongly deplored and objected to the meeting between a cabinet minister of the United Kingdom (UK) and anti-government people from Hong Kong, where the regional flag of the HKSAR was deliberately shown despite that the people have no official capacity. This is clearly yet another provocative act of the UK Government following the recent release of the Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong by its foreign ministry, in which the HKSAR was maliciously maligned. The comments on the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport holders also breached international obligations.

     China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China that enjoys a high degree of autonomy and comes directly under the Central People's Government. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Hong Kong's affairs have been the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and should not be interfered in by foreign countries. Over the past 23 years, the HKSAR has adhered strictly to the Constitution and the Basic Law and successfully implemented "One Country, Two Systems". The rule of law and judicial independence have been held in high regard in the international community, and Hong Kong's status as a financial centre has developed well with the support of the Central People's Government. These great achievements are testimony that "One Country, Two Systems" is the best system for safeguarding Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

     When the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed, the Chinese Government and the UK Government exchanged memoranda in which the UK clearly pledged not to confer the right of abode in the UK on holders of the BN(O) passport who are Chinese nationals in Hong Kong. If the UK Government deliberately violates its pledge made in the British memorandum associated with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, paying no regard to the Central People's Government's firm opposition and repeated representations, and insists on using the BN(O) passport or relevant status that some people in Hong Kong still hold for political manoeuvers under the pretext of human rights and democracy to provide a path for relevant persons to reside and obtain citizenship in the UK, such a move would totally disregard history and breach international obligations.

Ends/Thursday, December 10, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:50

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