Hong Kong Government Strongly Condemns UK Six-Monthly Report as Interference

The Chinese Foreign Ministry's Office in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government have strongly condemned the UK's latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong, labeling it as full of untruthful remarks, smears, and political interference. Both bodies emphasized that the UK's report unfairly criticizes Hong Kong's national security laws, judicial system, and human rights protections, while ignoring the city's legal and social stability under the principle of "one country, two systems". They reiterated that the Sino-British Joint Declaration transferred sovereignty to China in 1997, and the UK holds no authority or supervisory rights over Hong Kong's internal affairs. The UK was accused of exhibiting a colonial mentality and double standards, and of violating international law principles of non-interference. The HKSAR Government stressed that rights and freedoms, including speech and assembly, are protected under the Constitution and Basic Law but are subject to necessary legal restrictions for national security, similar to other jurisdictions. It also highlighted that the improved electoral system aims to ensure patriots govern Hong Kong, a practice common globally, contrary to UK criticisms.