HKSAR Government strongly opposes EU annual report, calls content inaccurate and biased

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today expressed strong disapproval of and rejected the European Commission's annual report, calling its content regarding Hong Kong's safeguarding of national security and human rights "inaccurate and biased."

A government spokesman stated the report represents typical hypocritical "double standards," emphasizing that national security laws have enabled Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order while protecting citizens' rights and freedoms in accordance with the law. The government urged the EU to cease interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China's internal matters.

The spokesman pointed out that every sovereign state has the right to enact national security laws, which is international practice. While the EU criticizes Hong Kong's national security legal system, it completely ignores the positive effects these laws have brought, demonstrating genuine double standards.

The implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law marked a watershed moment in Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order, the spokesman said, while the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance enacted this year has improved the relevant legal system with 98.6 percent public support during consultation, reflecting popular endorsement of the legislation.

Regarding comments about the rule of law, the spokesman reiterated that Hong Kong's legal foundation remains solid and enduring. The judiciary exercises independent judicial power without interference, and all persons facing criminal charges receive fair trials. Any claim that Hong Kong is becoming a "totalitarian" city is completely untrue.

The spokesman emphasized that the government steadfastly safeguards Hong Kong residents' legally protected rights and freedoms. Both the Hong Kong National Security Law and Safeguarding National Security Ordinance explicitly stipulate that human rights must be respected and protected in safeguarding national security.

Since the implementation of the national security law, Hong Kong's media environment has remained vibrant, the spokesman noted. Media organizations, like everyone else, have the obligation to comply with laws, and as long as they do not violate the law, they continue to enjoy freedom to comment on and criticize government policies.

The government will also enhance national education, including national security education, to cultivate students' sense of national identity - a legitimate and reasonable responsibility of education authorities worldwide.