Security Bureau condemns The Guardian over ‘extremely misleading report’

The Security Bureau wrote to The Guardian on Friday to condemn an “extremely misleading report” and urged the UK newspaper to ensure reports concerning Hong Kong are fair and just. 

The report dated March 25 was titled “Hong Kong official warns online criticism could breach new national security law”. 

“Regarding offenses in connection with seditious intention in the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, there are clear and specific provisions stipulating circumstances that do not constitute seditious intention,” said Deputy Secretary for Security Apollonia Liu Lee Ho-kei. 

“The offenses do not hinder legitimate expression of opinions, such as making reasonable and genuine criticism of government policies based on objective facts.” 

Liu also pointed to recent media interviews and said Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok had made clear the distinction between incitement of hatred against the Central Authorities or the SAR Government and mere criticisms. 

“The heading of your report is a gross distortion of the Secretary’s remarks by misleading readers to think that criticisms against the Government are prohibited,” she said. 

Liu continued that all law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong authorities are not directed at any person on account of the person’s expression of genuine criticisms against the government. 

“We strongly urge The Guardian to ensure that reports concerning Hong Kong are fair and just, and stop making scaremongering remarks.”