HONG KONG: The Hong Kong government hit back on Friday (Jun 12) at a report by Britain criticising Beijing's move to impose national security legislation on the global financial hub, saying the report was "inaccurate and biased".
The British government said the proposed security law was a clear violation of China's international obligations and a breach of the "one country, two systems" formula that has governed the former British colony since its handover to Chinese rule in 1997.
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READ: Hong Kong security law like 'anti-virus software': Beijing official
READ: Hong Kong police arrest 53 during fresh protests, more rallies planned
"There is still time for China to reconsider, to step back from the brink and respect Hong Kongs autonomy and respect its own international obligations," British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab wrote in the foreword to his government's six-monthly report on Hong Kong.
Raab said a solution to the unrest fomented by a year of frequently violent rallies in the city "must come from Hong Kong, and cannot be imposed from mainland China".
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However, the Hong Kong government said it firmly opposed the report's "inaccurate and biased remarks on the national security law and the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by (Hong Kong)".
Authorities in both Hong Kong and Beijing have insisted the security legislation will focus on small numbers of "troublemakers" who pose a threat to national security and will not curb freedoms or hurt investors.
"Any allegation that the law will undermine Hong Kong people's freedoms and 'one country, two systems' is no more than alarmist speculation and simply fallacious," the Hong Kong government said in a statement.
READ: Hong Kong protesters gather to mark 'million-people' march anniversary
READ: Hong Kong leader says city cannot tolerate any more 'chaos'
Legislating on national security was within the purview of Beijing, it added, and the law would help better protect the rights of Hong Kong people while restoring stability in the financial centre.
The exchange over the security legislation, which is expected to be implemented by September, came as Hong Kong marked the anniversary of a major demonstration that saw a turning point in the city's protest movement.
On Jun 12Read More – Source
HONG KONG: The Hong Kong government hit back on Friday (Jun 12) at a report by Britain criticising Beijing's move to impose national security legislation on the global financial hub, saying the report was "inaccurate and biased".
The British government said the proposed security law was a clear violation of China's international obligations and a breach of the "one country, two systems" formula that has governed the former British colony since its handover to Chinese rule in 1997.
Advertisement
Advertisement
READ: Hong Kong security law like 'anti-virus software': Beijing official
READ: Hong Kong police arrest 53 during fresh protests, more rallies planned
"There is still time for China to reconsider, to step back from the brink and respect Hong Kongs autonomy and respect its own international obligations," British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab wrote in the foreword to his government's six-monthly report on Hong Kong.
Raab said a solution to the unrest fomented by a year of frequently violent rallies in the city "must come from Hong Kong, and cannot be imposed from mainland China".
Advertisement
Advertisement
However, the Hong Kong government said it firmly opposed the report's "inaccurate and biased remarks on the national security law and the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by (Hong Kong)".
Authorities in both Hong Kong and Beijing have insisted the security legislation will focus on small numbers of "troublemakers" who pose a threat to national security and will not curb freedoms or hurt investors.
"Any allegation that the law will undermine Hong Kong people's freedoms and 'one country, two systems' is no more than alarmist speculation and simply fallacious," the Hong Kong government said in a statement.
READ: Hong Kong protesters gather to mark 'million-people' march anniversary
READ: Hong Kong leader says city cannot tolerate any more 'chaos'
Legislating on national security was within the purview of Beijing, it added, and the law would help better protect the rights of Hong Kong people while restoring stability in the financial centre.
The exchange over the security legislation, which is expected to be implemented by September, came as Hong Kong marked the anniversary of a major demonstration that saw a turning point in the city's protest movement.
On Jun 12Read More – Source
