John Lee says freedoms in Hong Kong protected as ‘non-factual’ and ‘misleading’ content removed

Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city’s freedom of speech is protected under the Basic Law while the national security law guarantees the respect of human rights.  

His comments came Thursday in the first revamped interactive and consultative exchange session at the Legislative Council, responding to lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen’s concern that recent government actions have created a climate of fear stifling free speech.  

Tik, the first lawmaker to put forward a question to the chief executive, noted that political elements would fade from this year's Piu Sik parade at the Cheung Chau Bun Festival after organizers said political messages would only be a small part of the parade this year due to the national security law.  

He also said citizens were concerned that their freedom of expression has come under threat after public libraries pulled books and documentaries from their shelves without a clear guideline, and Chinese-language daily Ming Pao pulled the plug on two cartoon series by local artist Zunzi amid accusations of bias by city officials.  

In response, the Hong Kong leader said citizens’ freedom, including the freedom of speech, has been well protected under the Basic Law, adding that “not even a word has been changed” since the city’s mini-constitution went into effect.  

Lee also said international covenants concerning Hong Kong are still applicable, while the city’s national security law also provides clear rules that respect human rights.  

Meanwhile, Lee said staffers at public libraries are capable of using their professional judgment in deciding what contents should be displayed on the shelves. 

He stressed that books available for citizens at public libraries can be viewed as recommended by the government, in which the books “must not be illegal, must not involve copyright infringement, and should not contain content of ‘undesirable notions.’”  

Citizens can still, through other channels, read or access works not recommended by the government, he added.