The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom have strongly condemned baseless allegations against the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and National Security Department's law enforcement actions, saying those “simply do not stand up to the facts”.

The SAR government and the Chinese embassy in the UK issued separate statements Thursday night to oppose their attempts to undermine Hong Kong’s rule of law after Thursday’s ruling by a Hong Kong court, in which 14 people were found guilty of conspiring to subvert State power for their roles in an illegal “primary” of the 2020 Legislative Council election.

READ MORE: HK High Court convicts 14 in subversion trial

Disapproving of the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the EU actions, the SAR government said the city’s law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the people or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.

Offenses in connection with seditious intention are very serious crimes, and no jurisdictions, including the US and those from the EU, will watch with folded arms acts and activities that endanger national security.

HKSAR Govt

For the relevant law enforcement actions taken by police in accordance with the ordinance, investigations revealed that the arrestees' acts involved repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intention on a social platform with content provoking hatred towards the central government, the HKSAR government and the Judiciary, as well as inciting netizens to organize or participate in illegal activities, said the government.

“Offenses in connection with seditious intention are very serious crimes, and no jurisdictions, including the US and those from the EU, will watch with folded arms acts and activities that endanger national security,” reads the government statement.

The ordinance only targets an extremely small minority of people who endanger national security so as to protect the lives, property, freedoms and rights of the Hong Kong people, it said.

“The offenses under the ordinance, including offences in connection with ‘seditious intention’ will not hinder legitimate expression of opinions, such as making reasonable and genuine criticism of government policies based on objective facts.”

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The ordinance is a piece of legislation to defend against acts and activities endangering national security, the HKSAR government said, adding that only those who want to intrude into Hong Kong to plunder and loot should be worried by it.

We firmly oppose the UK’s interference in China’s internal affairs and its attempt to undermine Hong Kong’s rule of law.

Spokesperson, Chinese Embassy in the UK

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in the UK urged the UK to cease making groundless accusations against China and stop harboring and condoning anti-China elements who seek to disrupt the special administrative region.

Reacting to UK Minister of State Anne-Marie Trevelyan’s comments on Thursday’s verdict, a spokesperson for the embassy said Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law, and that it is a basic principle for the city to abide by the law and bring lawbreakers to justice.

The embassy spokesperson underscored that “democracy” should not be used as a pretext to engage in unlawful activities and evade justice.

READ MORE: Commissioner's office: HKSAR law enforcement brooks no interference

The central government firmly supports law enforcement and judicial authorities in the HKSAR to carry out their duties in accordance with the law and punish any acts that undermine national security.

“We firmly oppose the UK’s interference in China’s internal affairs and its attempt to undermine Hong Kong’s rule of law,” the spokesperson added.

Contact the writers at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com