The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR issued separate statements on Thursday that strongly disapproved and firmly rejected US State Department and Congress hyping up Jimmy Lai's fraud case. 

The US State Department and Congress slandered Hong Kong's rule of law and human rights as well as the National Security Law for the HKSAR, and openly spoke up for the lawbreaker, which shows America's collusion with anti-China elements in Hong Kong and its intention to undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, read the statement.

Apple Daily, a major secessionist tabloid in Hong Kong, issued its final hard copy in late June. This was seen as a significant event that put an end to an era when foreign proxies and secessionist forces could recklessly meddle in China's internal affairs by cultivating agents, like the paper's founder Jimmy Lai and his media group.  

Lai and Apple Daily editor-in-chief Ryan Law Wai-Kwong, along with four other senior executives of Next Digital, the parent company of the newspaper, have been arrested.   

The spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR pointed out that during the 2019 turbulence, Jimmy Lai openly clamored for "fighting for the United States," but eventually ended up in prison. Today, the US tried to whitewash Jimmy Lai but only brought disgrace on itself.

The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and laws in Hong Kong must be effectively enforced. No one is above the law no matter what their background or what forces are behind them. The evidence is irrefutable in Jimmy Lai's fraud case and it's a statutory duty for Hong Kong courts to try the case in accordance with the law, which has nothing to do with freedom of the press and speech, and brooks no interference, the spokesperson added.

Moreover, the US claims to protect international rules, but in fact it has repeatedly trampled on international law and the basic norms governing international relations and meddled in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. What the US has done is a gross violation of both Hong Kong's rule of law and the international rule of law.

The spokesperson said that under the national security law and the new electoral system, Hong Kong society has been more stable and united, its rule of law and justice upheld, residents' lawful rights and freedoms of speech, press and association better protected in a more secure environment, and Hong Kong people are full of confidence in the future of the city. 

Under the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, all social sectors in Hong Kong will contribute their share to the development of Hong Kong and the country, and jointly write a new chapter in Hong Kong's good governance and prosperity. However, the US goes against the historical trend and plays all tricks possible to damage Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. The US is the most disruptive force Hong Kong faces and this has been proved by facts time and again.

History has shown and will continue to prove that no intervention can stop the historical trend of Hong Kong moving to greater prosperity and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Any collusion to endanger China's national security will meet a dead end and will be brought to justice, the spokesperson remarked.

At the just-concluded 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly promised that "one country, two systems" is a great initiative of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the best institutional arrangement for Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability after its return, which must be adhered to for a long time, the spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR noted.

Facts have proven and will continue to prove that under "one country, two systems", the lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents are effectively protected, the fundamental and overall interests of Hong Kong are effectively safeguarded, and the steady and long-term implementation of "one country, two systems" will usher in a brighter future.

Global Times