HKSAR Government strongly condemns US Congress for interfering in Hong Kong matters
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     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (July 14) strongly condemned the United States (US) Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for passing the so-called Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act, which called for the removal of the privileges, exemptions and immunities to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) in the US and even the closure of the ETOs, constituting gross interference in the affairs of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government sternly urged again the US to respect the basic norms governing international relations and stop interfering in Hong Kong matters.
     The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. The enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) aims to, among others, improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security of the HKSAR, as well as maintain prosperity and stability of the HKSAR. Article 4 of the NSL clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and that the rights and freedoms, which the residents of Hong Kong enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government will continue to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the NSL to prevent, suppress and punish in accordance with the law, acts and activities that endanger national security.
     The HKSAR Government has been establishing and maintaining economic and trade relations with places around the world in accordance with the “one country, two systems” principle and has, pursuant to Article 156 of the Basic Law and legislation of the host countries, set up 14 overseas ETOs as the official representatives of the HKSAR, including the three ETOs established in the US.
     In their respective jurisdictions and through various means, the ETOs in Washington DC, New York and San Francisco maintain close liaison with interlocutors in government, business, think tanks and various sectors to enrich ties between Hong Kong and the US in different areas such as trade, investment, arts and culture.
     The three ETOs will continue to promote Hong Kong’s unique advantages and tell the good stories of Hong Kong, where necessary refute erroneous reports and clarify misconceptions without fear or favour, so as to foster economic and trade relations and co-operation on different fronts between Hong Kong and the US on a mutually beneficial basis.