Hong Kong commissioner’s office blasts EU politicians’ criticism of election

A spokesperson said that the election is fair and impartial and complies with laws and regulations.

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This Nov 17, 2016 photo 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)

May 9, 2022

HONG KONG – The election of the sixth-term Chief Executive of the HKSAR has successfully concluded with John Lee Ka-chiu emerging victorious with a high supporting rate in accordance with law and people from all sectors warmly congratulating him, the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in SAR said on Sunday.

But the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and a few other foreign politicians slandered the electoral system of the SAR, the election result and the central government’s policies towards Hong Kong, interfering in the SAR’s affairs and China’s internal affairs and flew in the face of international law and basic norms governing international relations, the office said.

A spokesperson of the office strongly rejected and expressed strong disapproval of this, urging EU politicians to put themselves in the right position, recognize the historical trend, and immediately stop their futile meddling in Hong Kong affairs.

The election is of great significance as Hong Kong is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland and the “one country, two systems” policy is entering a new period, said the office.

“As a successful practice in developing democracy with Hong Kong characteristics, the election further implemented the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, showed higher superiority of the new electoral system, and ensured Hong Kong’s moving from chaos to stability and prosperity.”

The election also displayed an upbeat mood of Hong Kong society seeking unity and progress and carried the expectations of all social sectors for a better future, thus opening a new chapter of sound governance in Hong Kong, added the spokesperson.

Some EU politicians, harboring the intention of using Hong Kong to contain China, confused black and white, and vilified the new electoral system and “one country, two systems”.

Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in HKSAR

The election is fair and impartial and complies with laws and regulations, and the result testifies to the strong public support to Lee, said the spokesperson.

“The election, held under the new electoral system, shows that Hong Kong’s democracy is advancing with the times and is good for Hong Kong’s long-term stability and development. Mr John Lee was elected as the Chief Executive designate with 1,416 votes, over 99 percent of the votes cast, reflecting a huge public favor to Mr John Lee and great political credibility of the election.”

The result represents the broadest public opinions, and demonstrates the strong consensus of “starting a new chapter for Hong Kong together” among all sectors and classes of the Hong Kong society, according to the office.

Over the past 25 years, the central government has fully and faithfully implemented the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and “Hong Kong enjoying a high degree of autonomy”.

Besides firmly safeguarding national sovereignty, security, development interests, and Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, the central government has also resolutely supported the development of democracy with Hong Kong characteristics and protected all the lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by the Hong Kong people, it said.

“Facts have proved that Hong Kong’s new electoral system is an effective one in line with ‘one country, two systems’ and Hong Kong’s reality. Facts will also prove in the future that the new chief executive elected under the new electoral system will lead the new term of the HKSAR government and people from all walks of life to forge ahead at a new starting point, create a new situation of sound governance in Hong Kong, promote the coordinated development of Hong Kong in economic, political, social and cultural fields, and further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a global financial, trade and shipping center, which is good for the long-term well-being of Hong Kong people and serves the common interests of all international stakeholders, including investors in Hong Kong.”

The spokesperson pointed out that some EU politicians, harboring the intention of using Hong Kong to contain China, confused black and white, and vilified the new electoral system and “one country, two systems”.

“These are their old tricks to wade into Hong Kong affairs under the guise of ‘democracy’, ‘human rights and ‘freedom’, only showing that they have come to their wit’s end. Any slander of the election result and any interference into Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs are botched political performances that run counter to the global trend and selective blindness to Hong Kong’s genuine public opinion,” said the spokesperson.

They cannot deceive the 1.4 billion Chinese people, including all Hong Kong compatriots, cannot reverse the historical trend of Hong Kong’s transition from chaos to stability and prosperity, and cannot weaken the firm determination of the Chinese government to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, added the spokesperson.

Hong Kong is part of China and the election of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR is purely China’s internal affair, the spokesperson said.

“We urge all the external forces who attempt to meddle with China’s internal affairs, including some EU politicians, to recognize the historical trend, change course, reflect on themselves, ditch double standards, abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form, otherwise they will only shoot themselves in the foot.”

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