Recently, some Dutch media commented negatively on the passage of the Safeguarding National Security Bill by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR. The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands has the following comments:

The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region`s passage of the Safeguarding National Security Bill represents the fulfillment of the constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR to safeguard national security. The Bill strikes a balance between safeguarding national security and upholding rights, freedom and economic development, which helps the SAR to further coordinate between development and security, better harness Hong Kong’s unique status and advantage, and deepen closer and more open exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and countries and regions in the world. The legislative process was rigorous and procedure-based. The content is sound and reasonable. The definition of criminal elements is clear. The severity of penalties is appropriate. It is in line with the principal of rule of law and global legal practice.

We urge the relevant Dutch media to cease its biased reporting on the Safeguarding National Security Bill, and conduct Hong Kong-related reporting in an objective and just manner.