SAR Government Hits Back At US Report On Hong Kong

The SAR government has criticised a US report published on Wednesday by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China that was critical of the human rights situation in Hong Kong, following the introduction of the national security law.

The commission, chaired by Senator Marco Rubio, covered a broad range of incidents including the police raid on the Apple Daily newspaper offices in August, the postponement of the Legco election, the invalidation of election candidates, and the sacking of Occupy leader and law professor Benny Tai from the University of Hong Kong.

In a harshly-worded statement, the government accused the report of presenting "totally biased analysis" and "smearing" the national security law.

"The HKSAR Government firmly implements the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and protects the lawful rights and interests of people living and doing businesses in Hong Kong, and will continue to do so resolutely," it said. "Once again, we firmly oppose any form of intervention in HKSAR's affairs by foreign legislatures."

The government said every country had a duty to safeguard national security and sovereignty and it accused the international community of adopting double standards.