Q: Recently the Hong Kong police arrested some activists suspected of subversion. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a declaration urging the authorities to respect Hong Kong's rule of law and democratic principles and calling for the immediate release of those arrested. Some European countries including the Netherlands also expressed concern. What is your comment?

A: China upholds rule of law. Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law where nobody enjoys extrajudicial privileges. The recent arrests by Hong Kong police of activists suspected of subversion are legal actions based on the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR and the Hong Kong National Security Law. These are China's internal affairs in which other countries have no right to interfere. We firmly support the Hong Kong police in fulfilling its duties in accordance with law to safeguard national security and Hong Kong's security and stability.

Election is an important manifestation of citizens' exercise of political and democratic rights, and must be conducted in accordance with law and due procedures. Under Hong Kong's electoral system, there is no such thing as "primary election". The so-called "primary elections" plotted and executed by the persons concerned in July 2020 were illegal, seriously disrupting and undermining the Hong Kong electoral system and its fairness and justice. The real purpose was to seize control of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and paralyze the SAR government. Such moves posed brazen challenges to the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Hong Kong National Security Law.

In any country, those who violate the law must be held accountable. They cannot be exonerated simply because they were once lawmakers or activists. On the issue of human rights, democracy and freedom, double standard should be discarded.  We urge relevant parties to earnestly respect China's sovereignty and immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and interfering in China's internal affairs in any form.