HONG KONG - The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday strongly disapproved and firmly rejected the interference in Hong Kong's judicial system by some US politicians concerning the trial of anti-China disruptor Jimmy Lai case.

 The Basic Law of the HKSAR and the national security law in Hong Kong guarantee the broad rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law, including freedom of speech and press. But rights and freedoms are not a "shield" for illegal crimes.

A spokesperson for the office said that four former US consul generals in Hong Kong issued a joint statement that made false comments on the Lai case and tried to back up the anti-China disruptor, and the US Consulate General in Hong Kong retweeted the article.
The spokesperson expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the blatant interference in Hong Kong's judicial affairs and meddling in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs.
The Basic Law of the HKSAR and the national security law in Hong Kong guarantee the broad rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law, including freedom of speech and press. But rights and freedoms are not a "shield" for illegal crimes, the spokesperson said.
Lai is the mastermind and instigator of the anti-China chaos in the HKSAR, who acted as an agent and a pawn of external anti-China forces. The trial of Lai in accordance with the law is a matter of national security and legal dignity, and is by no means an issue of "freedom of speech and press" that is whitewashed by a few external forces, the spokesperson said.
The law enforcement agencies of the HKSAR handle cases impartially, and the judicial departments handle cases in accordance with the law. It is a matter of course, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson pointed out that Lai's case has entered the judicial process and no external force has the right to make irresponsible remarks on the case. Some external forces used all kinds of tricks to make excuses or cover up for him, and even slandered and pressured the HKSAR government, blatantly interfered in the HKSAR's judiciary, seriously violated the spirit of the rule of law, the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations. It was sheer political manipulation and hypocrisy.
The spokesperson stressed that the central government will comprehensively, accurately and unswervingly implement "one country, two systems" and fully support the HKSAR in punishing crimes that endanger national security in accordance with the law.
"We welcome more friends who sincerely support 'one country, two systems' to contribute to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, but we do not accept any external forces intervening in Hong Kong affairs in the name of 'caring for Hong Kong.' We urge the United States to earnestly respect the spirit of the rule of law, immediately stop interfering in and undermining the judicial system in the HKSAR, and immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs," the spokesperson said.