This file photo dated Nov 17, 2016 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 Friday expressed condemnation and firm opposition to Consul General of the United States in Hong Kong Gregory May's attack on the national security law in Hong Kong and Article 23 legislation of the Basic Law of the HKSAR.

A spokesperson for the office made the remarks in response to the attack made by May in the media who slandered Hong Kong's business environment and its space for rights and freedoms, incited US-funded enterprises to withdraw funds and leave the SAR, and grossly interfered in the internal affairs of China including Hong Kong affairs.

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The spokesperson stressed that the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong effectively prevents and punishes illegal acts endangering national security, and strongly safeguards Hong Kong's investment and business environment. 

The US consul general seriously deviated from the basic professional ethics and code of conduct of consular officials, said the commissioner's office

Hong Kong remains a favorable place for enterprises to invest in and for talents to gather, added the spokesperson.

The legislation of Article 23 will further strengthen the HKSAR's defense line for safeguarding national security, enhance the stability of Hong Kong society and the certainty of the rule of law, and allow Hong Kong to leverage its unique status and advantages, the spokesperson said.

The national security law in Hong Kong and the legislation of Article 23 emphasize respect for and protection of human rights, and protect the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in accordance with the Hong Kong Basic Law and relevant international conventions applicable to the SAR, the spokesperson pointed out.

May's irresponsible remarks in the media interfered in the HKSAR's constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security as well as the city’s judicial organs in hearing national security cases according to law, added the spokesperson.

May seriously deviated from the basic professional ethics and code of conduct of consular officials, and provided another hard evidence that the United States interfered in Hong Kong affairs and undermined the SAR’s prosperity and stability, the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson stressed that the legislation of Article 23 is a legitimate and necessary move, which is the constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR government and reflects the aspiration of the people and the trend of the times. 

The office urged the US to respect China's sovereignty and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and the internal affairs of China.