Govt Slams 'ignorant, Irresponsible' Foreign Critics

The SAR government on Friday issued a lengthy and strongly worded statement accusing "certain officials and politicians in the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Parliament" of making unfounded, irresponsible and ignorant comments on Hong Kong affairs.

Without naming any individuals or citing specific remarks, the government said recent allegations regarding the arrests of 15 pro-democracy figures on April 18 and "other security matters" were totally unfounded, grossly irresponsible and a serious intervention in SAR matters.

It said the central government has time and again reiterated that it will unswervingly implement One Country, Two Systems and make sure it is fully applied "without being bent or distorted", and any allegation that there has been an erosion in freedoms enjoyed by the Hong Kong people is unfounded.

"We therefore take great exception to comments made by officials and politicians in foreign countries concerning the recent arrests and prosecution of a number of persons for organising and participating in unauthorised assemblies in Hong Kong," a spokesman said.

"The allegation by some that those arrests amounted to an attack on Hong Kong's freedoms and a breach of the Basic Law is absurd and can hardly stand the test of any law-abiding jurisdiction."

The statement went on to say that the guarantee of judicial independence in Hong Kong is explicitly set out in the Basic Law and quality judgments from the courts contribute to a "much respected" judiciary and rule of law.

"We therefore note with abhorrence certain overseas politicians' request that the HKSAR government should drop the charges against the arrested individuals. If we were to accede or to be seen to yield to such unreasonable demands, we would not only be unfair and unprofessional but would also act in violation of the spirit of the rule of law – a core value in Hong Kong."

The statement also addressed concerns raised about recent statements from the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) and Beijing's liaison office on various issues, including the arrests of the pro-democracy figures, and filibustering in Legco

"Any suggestion that those legitimate remarks by the HKMAO and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government amount to interference only illustrates an ignorance of the constitutional order of the HKSAR and its relationship with the central authorities," the spokesman said.

The liaison office recently declared that it is not bound by Article 22 of the Basic Law which forbids mainland officials from interfering in SAR affairs, and its role is to "supervise" Hong Kong.

Former governor Chris Patten had described the mass arrest earlier this month as "an unprecedented assault" on Hong Kong values, while former British foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind said the move was a "truly appalling attack" on Hong Kong's freedoms and the rule of law.

More recently, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US was monitoring "Beijing's increasing efforts to interfere with Hong Kong's governance", and he cautioned against any attempt to impose "draconian" Article 23 national security laws in the city.