Dozens of representatives from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) gathered in front of the US consulate in Hong Kong on Sunday, strongly condemning the US for slandering the National Security Law for Hong Kong. Photo: Courtesy of DAB

Dozens of representatives from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong gathered in front of the US consulate in Hong Kong on Sunday, strongly condemning the US for slandering the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong and interfering in the judicial proceeding of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) following the latest verdict on some defendants involved in the infamous "35-plus" political strategy that aimed to subvert state power. 

In response to news that the US Department of State will impose visa restrictions on personnel related to the implementation of the NSL for Hong Kong, and the attacks by politicians from the US, UK, and other Western countries on "One Country, Two Systems'' principle and their smearing of the NSL for Hong Kong, falsely claiming it undermines human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, we express our strong condemnation, Nicholas Muk Ka-chun, a district councilor who also attended the gathering, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Holding banners showing "strongly condemn the US and the British government for trampling the NSL for Hong Kong and judicial proceedings in the HKSAR," "stop trampling HK's rule of law," the district councilor, along with other representatives, emphasized that the latest verdict shows that the true aim of the defendants' actions was to undermine, destroy, or overthrow the existing political system and structure of the HKSAR established by the Basic Law and the principle of "One Country, Two Systems'' principle. 

"Their actions constituted a conspiracy to subvert state power, which has nothing to do with fighting for democracy and human rights," Muk said. 

The Hong Kong West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ruled on Thursday that 14 anti-China figures, including former lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung and Helena Wong Pik-wan, were guilty of conspiracy to subvert state power.

In total, 47 people were prosecuted in this case, and most of them had been convicted previously. Except for two people who were acquitted on Thursday due to insufficient evidence, the other 45 people have all been convicted so far, demonstrating the scale and severity of the criminal plan, according to the HKSAR government. 

Following the verdict, the US State Department said "it is deeply concerned by the guilty verdicts" and is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on officials in both Chinese mainland and HKSAR responsible for implementing the NSL for Hong Kong. 

The central government's office for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR expressed firm support on Sunday for the HKSAR's judicial authorities in lawfully punishing actions and activities that endanger national security and stated that external forces will not be allowed to interfere with or disrupt the rule of law in Hong Kong. 

The Hong Kong police lawfully arresting suspects and the courts lawfully trying them are essential requirements for the comprehensive and accurate implementation of the NSL for Hong Kong. These actions are just measures to safeguard national security, which are justified and legitimate, the office's spokesperson said. These are necessary to uphold the authority of the rule of law in Hong Kong and are beyond reproach, the spokesperson added. 

A small group of anti-China and foreign forces have frequently cried injustice for the defendants involved in the case, openly attacking Hong Kong's judicial system, smearing the NSL for Hong Kong, and interfering with the independent adjudication of the courts, the spokesperson said. 

After the Hong Kong court issued its verdict, the governments and politicians of a few countries, including the US, reacted with outrage, wantonly attacking and smearing Hong Kong, and clamoring for so-called sanctions. They are attempting to interfere with the normal law enforcement and judicial work of the HKSAR, obstruct the effective implementation of the NSL for Hong Kong, help the anti-China figures escape legal punishment, and plunge Hong Kong back into chaos. "However, any intimidation and pressure are destined to be futile and will never shake the determination of the central and HKSAR governments to safeguard national security according to the law," the spokesperson said. 

The HKSAR government strongly disapproved and condemned the US Department of State for the proposed imposition of the visa restrictions, according to a statement released on late Friday night. 

Such plan smacks of despicable political manipulation to intimidate the mainland and the HKSAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security, which grossly interfere in China's internal affairs and violate the international law and the basic norms governing international relations, a spokesperson from the HKSAR government said.

"Endangering national security is a serious crime in any country or region. The US and the UK holds similar if not tougher national security laws and often generalize the concept of national security, unreasonably deprive foreign citizens of their freedoms, and suppress the operations of foreign companies," Nixie Lam Lam, a lawmaker who also attended the gathering on Sunday, told the Global Times. 

Politicians from these countries have repeatedly attacked Hong Kong's democracy, freedom, human rights, and rule of law, while whitewashing themselves and often turning a blind eye in some obvious cases of themselves, Lam said.