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)
The Commissioner’s Office of the China’s Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Friday expressed strong dissatisfaction with the unwarranted criticisms made by Western politicians against the Hong Kong Police Force's lawful issuance of arrest warrants for five fugitives suspected of violating the National Security Law for Hong Kong (NSL).
According to the office, these criticisms defame NSL, interfere with the rule of law in the region, and disrupt normal law enforcement proceedings.
Hong Kong Police Force announced on Thursday a cash reward of HK$1 million ($128,000) for the arrest of five fugitives. The fugitives in question are Simon Cheng Man-kit, Hui Wing-ting, Joey Siu, Fok Ka-chi, and Choi Ming-da. They stand accused of various offenses, such as inciting secession, inciting subversion of state power, and colluding with external forces to endanger national security.
The office was responding to remarks made by the western politicians, including those in the US congress and British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, following the police’s move.
A spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office highlighted the long-standing involvement of Simon Cheng and others in anti-China and disruptive activities within the Hong Kong SAR.
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The spokesperson said the five colluded with external forces, driven for reasons of personal gain, and fled overseas to continue their disruptive activities.
Senior Superintendent HUNG Ngan and Chief Superintendent LI Kwai-wah of the National Security Department attend a police press conference at the Police Headquarters on Dec 14, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
The spokesperson said that these fugitives have been instrumental in establishing platforms that advocate disruptive activities in Hong Kong, spreading political rumors and fallacies related to the country and the city, and ultimately challenging the fundamental principle of the “one country, two systems”.
The spokesperson emphasized that these actions severely jeopardize national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
Warning that any attempts to undermine national security will ultimately prove futile, the spokesperson added that those who have crossed legal boundaries will not escape justice.
The spokesperson advised those anti-China troublemakers on the run to abandon any illusions of evading legal consequences.
The spokesperson cautioned the concerned foreign politicians to adhere to international law and basic norms of international relations, stop the despicable act of harboring criminals and end their interference in Hong Kong affairs and the nation’s internal matters under any pretext.
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The Police Force’s move has received a groundswell of support on Thursday from the Security Bureau, the Hong Kong SAR government and the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR.