Chris Tang hits out at UK and US diplomats over double standards on Article 23 legislation

Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung hit out at diplomats from the UK and US for their double standards on Article 23, asking why is it Hong Kong can't protect itself in accordance with the law yet they can illegally spy on the world. 

Speaking after an event on Tuesday, Tang said he acknowledges that foreign forces are intentionally slandering the legislation despite overwhelming support towards the work. 

“The Charter of the UN states very clearly that every country, region and independent jurisdiction can establish an appropriate social system according to their own political, cultural, economical and social circumstances,” Tang said. 

“There is no comparison as to whose system is better … Do not think it’s still the imperial era like centuries ago. We have to respect each other and you are no better. This is just a double standard.” 

Tang was replying to the official statement made by UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who urged Hong Kong to re-consider their proposals and added the UK's national security legislation “is informed by public consultation and was subject to full scrutiny by both Houses of Parliament, including the democratically elected House of Commons.” 

The security chief also lashed back at US Consulate General in Hong Kong Gregory May who said US companies have to use burner phones when visiting Hong Kong, and pointed out that illegal interception is the expertise of the US. 

“You can illegally spy on the whole world but we cannot protect ourselves in accordance with the law?” Tang said, referring past experiences of the US tapping the calls of foreign leaders. 

On former legislator Ted Hui Chi-fung disclosing the identities online of police and judicial officers working on his case, Tang said Hui lost his humanity and described him as the worst and that he wouldn’t have any friends, in layman's terms. 

He continued that Hongkongers should be ashamed of Hui and said the incident indicates the importance of Article 23. 

During the one-month consultation period, authorities received a total of 13,489 submissions and 98.6 percent were in favor of the legislation. Only 97 submissions, or 0.72 percent, were against it.