China firmly opposes and categorically rejects the unwarranted remarks by the spokesman of the Office of High Commissioner of Human Rights on January 7 on the legitimate law enforcement actions by the Police of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), as these comments severely interfered in China’s sovereignty and internal affairs.

The 53 individuals, arrested by the Hong Kong Police according to law on January 6, are all suspected of organizing, masterminding and executing plans of the so-called “35-plus” and “10-step mutual destruction scheme”. They sought to paralyze the HKSAR Government and interfere in, disrupt and undermine its performance of duties and functions, endangering state power, sovereignty and security. They are on suspicion of violating Article 22 of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, and their acts have nothing to do with exercising the so-called “legitimate rights to participate in political and public life”. If their plot went on unchecked, the society, economy and people’s livelihood in Hong Kong would be severely hindered and undermined, and Hong Kong would be plunged again in chaos and turbulence.

Since the enactment and implementation of the National Security Law, Hong Kong has embarked on a transition from chaos to peace. Facts have proved that only by fully and firmly implementing the National Security Law, can national security, Hong Kong’s social stability and the human rights of its citizens be effectively guaranteed and the principle of “one country, two systems” be kept on the right track in a steady and enduring way. Regrettably, by reversing the right and wrong and distorting human rights, the OHCHR bolsters criminal suspects and covertly supports their criminal offenses, and turns itself to accomplice of the anti-China forces and disruptors in Hong Kong. This is a grave violation of the UN Charter and outright breach of the OHCHR’s mandate as a UN body.

Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs brook no interference by any external forces. The OHCHR is urged to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect the rule of law, and stop immediately meddling in Hong Kong affairs and interfering in China’s internal affairs in any form.