Chris Tang condemns 'misleading remarks' in Washington Post editorial piece

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung wrote to The Washington Post to condemn the "misleading and inappropriate remarks" in an editorial piece about the new national security law and Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's trial. 

The piece, published on Sunday (Mar 10), was titled "With new security law, Hong Kong doubles down on repression." Tang said as the legal proceedings involving Lai and the 47 democrats charged with conspiracy to commit subversion are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for anyone to comment on the details of the cases. 

He stressed that the cases "are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law," and all defendants will receive fair trial in accordance with laws, including the National Security Law, and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. 

"Your suggestion on what 'the only plausible, credible verdict' should be is grossly inappropriate," Tang said. 

"Instead of respecting the exercise of independent judicial power by the Hong Kong courts, your assertion is a blatant interference with the administration of justice by the courts." 

Tang also blasted the US newspaper for neglecting the constitutional duty to enact the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, "something which the HKSAR has not fulfilled for more than 26 years after its return to the Motherland. 

"The Bill has stipulated that one of the fundamental principles in legislating for safeguarding national security is to respect and protect human rights, and has provided for clear elements of offense, target and scope," Tang also said, adding that there are corresponding or similar provisions overseas for offenses mentioned in the opinion piece. 

The security chief pointed out that Hong Kong will continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security, and effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law. 

Separately, the SAR government on Tuesday “strongly disapproved of and condemned” The Times' “extremely misleading report” regarding the Safeguarding National Security Bill.

The spokesman said the report - headlined "Hongkongers to be jailed for keeping old newspapers" – is “extremely misleading” and with a headline that is “completely wrong”.

He said the report misleads people into believing that one can be imprisoned for possessing certain old newspapers, thereby generating panic among members of the public."

“Whether a publication has a seditious intention will have to be determined after all relevant circumstances are taken into consideration, including the context and purpose of the publication,” the statement added.

“It is not possible for a person who does not know that the publication concerned has a seditious intention to be convicted.”

The spokesman said the officials have given multiple examples to illustrate what is meant by 'reasonable excuse' at the Legislative Council Bills Committee meeting, and the provisions on the proposed offense are clear.

“It is incumbent upon The Times to ensure that reports concerning the Basic Law Article 23 legislation of the HKSAR are fair and just, and stop making scaremongering remarks."

(Updated at 5.37 pm)