This Nov 17, 2016 photo shows the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Central, Hong Kong. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - The Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Thursday strongly disapproved and firmly rejected the irresponsible remarks of a Japanese official on the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the office said Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno also issued “irresponsible words” on the practice of “one country, two systems” and the freedom of the press and speech in Hong Kong.

The spokesperson stressed that Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs.

The spokesperson said that thanks to the NSL, the principle of “one country, two systems” shows new vitality in a secure, stable and law-based environment while all lawful rights of Hong Kong people, including freedom of the press and speech, are effectively protected

“We urge the Japanese side to clearly recognize the reality, exercise caution in words and deeds, abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, no longer follow steps of and pull the chestnuts out of the fire for certain countries, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any names,” the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson said that thanks to the NSL, the principle of “one country, two systems” shows new vitality in a secure, stable and law-based environment while all lawful rights of Hong Kong people, including freedom of the press and speech, are effectively protected.

“At present, Hong Kong is in a new stage from chaos to stability and prosperity,” the spokesperson said. “The latest survey shows that 80 percent of Hong Kong people believe that Hong Kong is a safer place, and global investors have cast their vote of confidence in Hong Kong with actions.”

The spokesperson noted that Hong Kong also continues to rank high in various global indexes while the rule of law continues to be the cornerstone of the city’s prosperity and stability.

“However, a few Japanese politicians turned a blind eye to the positive effect of the national security law, and attacked the successful practice of ‘one country, two systems’ in Hong Kong, which is a complete distortion of black and white with sinister intentions behind,” the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson also pointed out that the Hong Kong police’s law enforcement action is in full compliance with laws, which helps to safeguard the rule of law and public order in Hong Kong, and brooks no finger-pointing.

“The Japanese side claims to protect the rule of law, but what it did undermined the rule-of-law spirit and law-based administration of the SAR, and trampled on the basic principles of international law and international relations, fully exposing its hypocrisy and real intention to disrupt Hong Kong,” the spokesperson said.

“Its plot is doomed to be in vain and will be strongly opposed by the 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, and become a laughing stock of people all over the world,” the spokesperson added.