HKSAR Government strongly condemns the US and western countries' smearing using the "Lai Chee-ying case"
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (September 17) firmly rejected politicians in the United States (US) Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), who blatantly colluded with anti-China and destabilising elements, to hold the so-called "hearing" regarding Lai Chee-ying's case of committing offences endangering national security (Lai Chee-ying case) and made false and smearing remarks; and once again introduced the so-called "bill" and "sanctions", in an attempt to intimidate the HKSAR personnel concerned who safeguard national security. Such acts must be strongly condemned.
A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "Safeguarding national security is the top priority of every country. In accordance with international law and international relations based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security having regard to its own actual circumstances, and it is also an international practice. No country will watch with folded arms and tolerate such acts and activities endangering national security without taking any action. Various western countries, including the US, have a large and comprehensive national security legal framework. However, these countries and their politicians, including the so-called CECC, display their hypocrisy and double standards by pointing fingers at the HKSAR for our work in safeguarding national security.
"Anyone who vilifies the rule of law and the human rights situation in the HKSAR by exploiting the Lai Chee-ying case is distorting the facts and reversing right and wrong. Their malicious intent has been seen through by all and must be resolutely refuted to set the record straight. We have to emphasise that the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR, are protected in accordance with the law. However, like all other places in the world, journalists, like everyone else, have an obligation to abide by all the laws. According to the principles established by Article 19 of the ICCPR, the European Convention on Human Rights and relevant jurisprudence, when the media and journalists publish opinions, information and articles, they must observe and discharge 'special duties and responsibilities', including the protection of national security and public order; journalists must, in accordance with the tenets of 'responsible journalism', act in good faith on an accurate factual basis and provide reliable and precise information, so as to be entitled to the protection of freedom of speech and press freedom. Normal exchanges with other countries, regions or relevant international organisations are protected by the Basic Law and the laws of the HKSAR, and any individual or organisation conducting legitimate exchanges or co-operation need not have any worries about this."
The spokesman pointed out, "The Lai Chee-ying case has nothing to do with freedom of the press at all. Over the years, the defendants have used journalism as a guise to wantonly create social conflicts, incite social antagonism, incite hatred and glorify violence, bringing harm to our country and Hong Kong. The public trial of this case revealed Lai Chee-ying's close management and hands-on control of the editorial direction of Apple Daily. He had also repeatedly colluded with foreign forces to beg for sanctions and engaged in hostile activities against the Central Government and the HKSAR Government. The court clearly pointed out that Lai Chee-ying's only intent, whether pre or post HKNSL, was to seek the downfall of the Communist Party of China, even though the ultimate cost was the sacrifice of the interests of the people of the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR.
"Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that 'laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable'. As guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all defendants charged with a criminal offence shall have the right to a fair trial by the Judiciary exercising independent judicial power. The courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. In the Lai Chee-ying case, the court has conducted 156 days of public hearings, considered up to 2 220 pieces of evidence, over 80 000 pages of documents, and a total of over 1 000 pages of written submissions from all parties, etc. Lai Chee-ying himself even testified in court for 52 days. These are the testaments to the fact that Lai Chee-ying and other defendants were found guilty only after a fair trial. The court's reasons for verdict are 855 pages long, which are fully open for public inspection, and include the court's analysis of the relevant legal principles and evidence, as well as the reasons for convicting Lai Chee-ying and other defendants in full detail. Lai Chee-ying himself has chosen not to appeal against his conviction or sentence. No matter how the anti-China and destabilising elements and anti-China politicians disguise their real agendas with sophistry and rhetoric, they can hardly whitewash the heinous crimes committed by Lai Chee-ying, which are backed by overwhelming evidence. Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from the legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law."
The spokesman continued, "Besides, the HKSAR Government noticed that certain individuals with ulterior motives have been fabricating lies about Lai Chee-ying's health conditions and his custodial arrangements. Facts speak louder than eloquence. The Correctional Services Department (CSD) has been ensuring that the custodial environment for persons-in-custody (PICs) is safe, humane, appropriate and healthy in accordance with the law. These include adequate lighting and good ventilation, as well as appropriate and timely medical support. All correctional institutions have hospitals or sick bays staffed 24 hours a day by Medical Officers seconded from the Department of Health (DH) and correctional staff with professional nursing qualifications. Medical specialists from the Hospital Authority and the DH will visit correctional institutions on a regular basis to provide PICs with specialist consultation and treatment. In serious cases, PICs will be transferred immediately to a public hospital for treatment. The medical services received by Lai Chee-ying in custody are undoubtedly adequate and comprehensive. The senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying confirmed repeatedly that Lai Chee-ying had made no complaints about the treatment he received while in custody. The court also confirmed in its reasons for sentence that the CSD has been providing adequate medical attention for Lai Chee-ying.
"The anti-China politicians have once again clamored at the so-called 'hearing' to intimidate the relevant officials safeguarding national security with so-called 'sanctions'. They have grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs, and have seriously violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns such acts, and all relevant government officials are not intimidated at all and will continue to resolutely discharge their duty of safeguarding national security.
The spokesman reiterated, "The HKSAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to this top priority of the 'one country, two systems' principle. The HKSAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems'."
Source: AI-found images
