HKSAR gov't strongly opposes U.S. memorandum on Hong Kong

Hong Kong Aug 7: China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday expressed
strong opposition to the latest actions by the U.S. government against the HKSAR under the so-called "Memorandum
on the Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents."
The comments in the memorandum that smeared the national security law in Hong Kong are baseless and purely
politically oriented, a spokesman of the HKSAR government said.
National security is a matter within the purview of the central authorities and it is the legitimate right and duty of every
country to safeguard its national security, the spokesman said.
The United States has prolific laws on national security but chooses to smear the national security law in Hong Kong
out of political motivation, the spokesman said, stressing that the U.S. act shows clear hypocrisy and double standards.
Actions taken by Hong Kong's law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law, for the
acts of the people or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation,
the spokesman said.
Anyone who violates the law should be responsible for the behavior, and people who are wanted for prosecution and
have fled Hong Kong are fugitive offenders, the spokesman said, adding that the HKSAR government will pursue the
absconders' legal liabilities in accordance with the law to ensure that offenders will face justice.
The national security law has reversed the chaotic situation in Hong Kong starting June 2019, with violent acts
substantially reduced, external forces having been diminished, and advocacy of "Hong Kong independence"
subsiding, the spokesman said.
Stability, which is vital to business activities, has been restored to society and national security has been safeguarded
in the HKSAR, the spokesman said.
Hong Kong people can continue to enjoy their basic rights and freedoms in accordance with the law, the spokesman
said.
The HKSAR government will continue to discharge its duty to safeguard national security in Hong Kong in accordance
with the law, the spokesman said.
Since the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong, the U.S. government has been exploiting different
incidents and making up excuses to slander the law, the spokesman said, noting that its accusations are baseless and
have simply twisted the facts.
Source: Xinhua