HK refutes bill in US Congress

In response to protesters’ march to the United States Consulate General Hong Kong on Sunday, appealing for the passage of the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act” by Members of the US Congress, a spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR government expresses regret over the re-introduction of the Act and reiterates that foreign legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR.

The Act mentioned the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019, the incident concerning a bookstore in Causeway Bay and export control.

The Hong Kong SAR government spokesman pointed out that Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced on Sept 4 the formal withdrawal of the bill. Before that, the Hong Kong SAR government had also clearly indicated on many occasions that all work in relation to the legislative amendment had completely stopped.

In respect of the incident concerning a bookstore in Causeway Bay, the Basic Law only authorizes the law enforcement agencies of the Hong Kong SAR to enforce laws in the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong SAR. Law enforcement agencies outside of Hong Kong, including law enforcement agencies of the Chinese mainland and overseas, do not have the authority to enforce laws within the jurisdiction of Hong Kong. “The Hong Kong SAR government has all along been dealing with matters relating to the Hong Kong SAR in strict accordance with the principle of 'one country, two systems' and the Basic Law, and will not allow 'law enforcement across the boundary', the spokesman said.

In respect of the incident relating to a bookstore in Causeway Bay, “the Hong Kong Police have not discovered evidence indicating that there was 'law enforcement across the boundary', the spokesman noted.

“Hong Kong's separate customs territory status and trade autonomy are conferred by Articles 116 and 151 of the Basic Law, instead of an offering by other jurisdictions. It is very much in Hong Kong's own interest to maintain our autonomy to safeguard our interests and advantages under the 'one country, two systems' principle," the spokesman added.

"Since the return to the motherland, the Hong Kong SAR has been exercising 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law. The 'one country, two systems' principle has been fully and successfully implemented. Human rights and freedom in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation. The Hong Kong SAR government attaches great importance to them and is determined to safeguard them," the spokesman stressed.