HKSAR Government strongly opposes US Government's false allegation regarding verdict of HKSAR court
27.10.2022

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (October 27) expressed strong opposition to the untruthful accusation of the United States Government against the verdict of the court of the HKSAR on the fraud case involving Lai Chee-ying, which was given in accordance with the law, as well as the false accusation, vilification and smearing in respect of the Hong Kong National Security Law. A Government spokesman said, "Since the legal proceedings of the case concerned are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment on the details of the case. However, we strongly object to the remarks of the United States Government which deviate from the truth and are purely politically oriented. All law enforcement actions taken by the law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and for the acts of the people concerned, and have absolutely nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The Department of Justice controls criminal prosecutions, free from any interference by virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law. All prosecutorial decisions are based on objective assessment of all admissible evidence and applicable laws. The Judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing. "The HKSAR Government has been steadfastly upholding the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bills of Rights, including press freedom and freedom of speech. It is necessary to point out that, as internationally recognised, freedom of speech and press freedom are not absolute, and people who claims to be engaged in journalism, like other people, cannot be exempted from their obligation to abide by the law, in particular criminal law. "Foreign politicians who deliberately turn a blind eye to the reasons for the court's verdict and make unfair and biased comments on the court’s verdict based merely on the outcomes of cases that are not in line with their political interests not only reveal their ignorance, cowardice, unfairness, arrogance and disregard of the law, but also make their attempts futile." As regards the skewed accusation and smearing of the United States Government regarding the Hong Kong National Security Law, the spokesman emphasised, "Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law on June 30, 2020, the United States Government has been exploiting different incidents and making up excuses to slander the Hong Kong National Security Law and attack China and its HKSAR in their dutiful, faithful and lawful implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, laying bare its overbearing and domineering attitude." The spokesman said, "The thinking of the United States Government that to repeat a lie numerous times will turn it into a truth simply reflects its malicious and ill intent. As a matter of fact, since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, Hong Kong has moved from chaos to stability, and is steadily heading from stability to prosperity. Hong Kong has the irreplaceably distinct advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. Any attempt by external forces to undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability by slandering the rule of law and freedoms in the HKSAR will only expose their weakness and faulty arguments. The HKSAR Government will continue to discharge its duty to steadfastly safeguard 'one country, two systems' to better serve our citizens and promote Hong Kong's progress. "We strongly urge the United States to immediately stop interfering in the internal affairs of the HKSAR." Ends/Thursday, October 27, 2022 Issued at HKT 20:38 NNNN