Embassy spokesperson's comment on the wrong remarks about HK by the UK side

Question: While commenting on the closure of the Apple Daily newspaper in Hong Kong, the UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on 23 June called it "a chilling blow to freedom of expression in Hong Kong" and said that "it is crystal clear that the powers under the National Security Law are being used as a tool to curtail freedoms and punish dissent – rather than keep public order."What is the comment of the Chinese Embassy?

Embassy Spokesperson: The UK side's remarks gravely interfered in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty. The Chinese side is gravely concerned and strongly opposes them.

Hong Kong is under the rule of law. Everyone is equal before the law. No one has extrajudicial privileges and no organization is beyond the reach of law. No right or freedom, including that of press, can cross the line of national security.

According to the national security Law, all institutions, organisations and individuals in Hong Kong shall abide by this Law and the laws of the Hong Kong SAR in relation to safeguarding national security, and shall not engage in any act or activity that endangers national security. China's Central Government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR government and police in fulfilling their duty in accordance with law, including the enforcement actions against the Apple Daily newspaper and two other companies, and all the efforts to combat any actions endangering national security and safeguard national security and prosperity and stability in Hong Kong SAR.

The national security Law focuses on cracking down on a handful of anti-China, destabilizing forces that have seriously endangered national security. It also protects the lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by the vast majority of Hong Kong residents, including freedom of speech. Since the implementation of the Law, social stability has been restored in Hong Kong, the rule of law and justice have been upheld, and the lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents and foreign citizens in Hong Kong are better protected in a safer environment. This is an undeniable fact.

Hong Kong is part of China. Hong Kong affairs fall entirely within China's internal affairs that no country, organization or individual has the right to interfere. The Chinese side would once again urge the UK side to show respect to the facts and rule of law, the aspiration of the Hong Kong citizens for stable social order and normal life and HKSAR government's lawful enforcement, and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and interfering in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty.