Hong Kong Half-Year Report | The Hong Kong Office in Beijing criticizes the UK for defamation and smearing, urges abandoning the mentality of teacher's pet

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Hong Kong stated that regarding the British government’s repeated publication of the so-called “Hong Kong Issue Semiannual Report,” which disparages and undermines the development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and meddles in Hong Kong affairs, it expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition.

The spokesperson pointed out that the core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is that China resumes sovereignty over Hong Kong and does not grant the British side the right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs after its return. The legal basis for the Chinese government’s governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the Constitution of China and the Basic Law of Hong Kong, and the British side has no sovereignty, governance rights, or supervisory rights over Hong Kong after its return.

Urging the British side to face reality and refrain from meddling in Hong Kong affairs

The spokesperson emphasized that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has a constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security, and it is entirely justified to implement the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Hong Kong National Security Regulations, which are beyond reproach. The judicial authorities of the Special Administrative Region independently hear cases that endanger national security in accordance with the law, and law enforcement agencies lawfully combat crimes that endanger national security, which is a necessary step to maintain the authority of the rule of law and uphold fairness and justice, and should not be interfered with by external forces.

The office also urged the British side to face reality, correct its position, abandon colonialism and the “teacher” mentality, genuinely respect China’s sovereignty, immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs, cease using the so-called “semiannual report” for political manipulation, and do more good and practical things that are beneficial to the development of Sino-British relations and exchange and cooperation between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.