On 1 September, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, and a few other Special Procedures mandate holders of the UN Human Rights Council sent a communication to the Chinese Government regarding the legislation for the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security. The communication, based on fake information and unfounded speculations, made unwarranted and malicious accusation regarding the above mentioned legislation, and grossly interfered in China's sovereignty and internal affairs. China firmly opposes and totally rejects this.
It is both necessary and legitimate for China to establish and improve at the national level a legal framework and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, in order to plug in the loopholes existing in national security legislation for the Hong Kong SAR, effectively safeguard national sovereignty and security of China and ensure that Hong Kong SAR continues to enjoy prosperity and stability and that "one country, two systems" is steady and enduring. The legislation clearly stipulates respect for and protection of human rights. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, which the residents of the Hong Kong SAR enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, are all protected by the legislation. The groundless accusations made by those experts against the National Security Law are utterly untenable.
Ms. Aoláin and those mandate holders in question turned a blind eye to the rampant activities until recently by separatist and local radical forces in the Hong Kong SAR, the escalation of violent terrorist activities as well as the serious negative impact of the blunt foreign interference in Hong Kong affairs. They shrugged off the legitimate measures by China to safeguard its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, prevent and control national security risks and ensure the long-term prosperity and stability as well as lasting peace and order in the Hong Kong SAR. They turned a deaf ear to the voices from 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, in supporting of the Hong Kong National Security Law. Out of arrogance, bias and their own political motives, they wantonly distorted and slandered the National Security Law and rushed to publish the communication online without effective communication with the Chinese side, in order to cater to certain Western countries and anti-China forces. This once again shows that certain mandate holders do not possess the professional quality and competence to perform their duties and are unwilling to understand and look into issues in a comprehensive, impartial and objective manner. Even worse, they intend to abuse their mandate for political purpose, in violation of both the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders of the Human Rights Council. In recent years, serious problems have been increasing exposed in the Special Procedures system and more and more countries have voiced their concerns. The credibility of the entire system has been seriously undermined due to wanton actions by certain mandate holders.
The Hong Kong SAR belongs to China. Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs. The Chinese Government stands firm in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing the "one country, two systems" guideline and in opposing any external intervention in Hong Kong affairs. No force under any circumstances can waver the determination and will of the Chinese Government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and security and to maintain prosperity and stability in the Hong Kong SAR.