HKSAR Government strongly disapproves and condemns skewed remarks on Hong Kong matters by US Consul General to Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (July 31) strongly disapproved of and condemned the absurd and unfounded remarks on Hong Kong's situation, in areas such as safeguarding national security and protecting human rights, made by the Consul General of the United States of America (US) to Hong Kong, Mr Gregory May, in a media interview.
A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) in June 2020, the US has ignored the large-scale and incessant riots that occurred in 2019 that devastated society, livelihoods and the economy of Hong Kong. Instead, it piled up false stories and fabricated narratives to maliciously slander laws relevant to safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and blatantly attacked the HKSAR in safeguarding national security dutifully, faithfully and in accordance with the law. The US has also deliberately neglected the fact that the NSL has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community as well the business environment to return to normalcy, exposing its hypocrisy with double standards.
"The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. It is a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under 'one country, two systems' and comes directly under the Central People's Government. The legal basis for implementing 'one country, two systems' comprises the Constitution and the Basic Law, which provide a constitutional guarantee for fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to equality before the law, and is buttressed by the rule of law and independent judicial power," the spokesman stressed.
"Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The legal framework in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR is in line with relevant international human rights standards. The NSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR are protected in accordance with the law. Nonetheless, just as the case with other places in the world, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The ICCPR also expressly states that some of them may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law that are necessary for protection of national security, public safety, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, etc.
"As a matter of fact, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. The US has at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security. It is therefore in no position to point its finger at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security."
The spokesman stressed, "The offences endangering national security stipulated by the NSL and the SNSO target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons concerned. Law-abiding persons will not unwittingly violate the law. The remarks made by the Consul General of the US to Hong Kong on the so-called 'chilling effect' are purely malicious smears on the NSL and the SNSO."
The spokesperson reiterated, "The HKSAR Government is steadfast in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, fully and faithfully upholding this top priority of the 'one country, two systems' principle. The HKSAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the NSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law. At the same time, it protects the legal interests, rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and other people in Hong Kong in accordance with the law, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'. The HKSAR Government strongly demands the Consul General of the US to immediately stop the malicious smears of and interference in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs."
Speech by CE at Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum 2024
Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum 2024 today (September 9):
Mr Michael Lee (Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. A warm welcome to the Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum 2024, the fourth edition.
I'm pleased to be joining you virtually today, in the opening of this year's Forum. The Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum was created to inspire impactful giving - in Hong Kong, throughout Asia and around the world.
This forum is testament to Hong Kong's commitment to philanthropy. It is proudly presented by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust, a long-standing leader in championing our philanthropic endeavours.
This year's theme, "Delivering Impactful Philanthropy in the Real World", underscores that unwavering commitment. Indeed, the Forum will include the launch of a Commission on Asian Philanthropy. The pioneering initiative will bring together experts from across the region to help realise Asian philanthropy's full potential.
I'm glad that more than 2 000 philanthropists, thought leaders, social entrepreneurs, policy-makers, academics and NGOs from around the world are taking part in this two-day Forum. You will surely help kick-start that welcome venture. So, too, will the nearly 100 prominent forum speakers and representatives of more than 200 local and international foundations.
Together, ladies and gentlemen, we have the potential to create positive change, to make a meaningful and far-reaching impact on society.
And Hong Kong is the ideal place to realise your ambition and passion in giving to society. Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. We are an international financial, shipping and trading centre. Thanks to our world-class professional services, we top the world in international trade and business legislation, according to the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook.
And Hong Kong, I'm pleased to say, has a rich tradition of giving. In that regard, it enjoys the complete support of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Our city is home to more than 10 000 tax-exempt charities, a reflection of the thriving philanthropic spirit that permeates our community. Approved charitable donations allowed under our profits and salaries tax amount to some HK$7 billion a year, respectively.
Those impressive numbers reflect the remarkable commitment of Hong Kong's private donors to welfare and other social causes. They speak, too, of our efforts to attract global family offices and asset owners to Hong Kong.
These families may be focused on maximising investment returns. But they're also committed to making a positive impact on society, I'm pleased to say. In integrating philanthropy into their wealth-management strategies, they drive social change, contributing to the betterment of our communities.
The Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to Hong Kong's rise as a global centre for philanthropy. That goal was formalised in our Policy Statement on Developing Family Office Businesses in Hong Kong.
Our vision is to provide philanthropists with the tools they need to manage their wealth, while channelling their resources into social initiatives that create tangible impact. We are determined to realise Hong Kong as a go-to destination for global family offices passionate about making a difference.
Hong Kong today is home to some 2 700 single family offices, with more than half of them established by individuals whose wealth exceeds US$50 million. And we expect our family office businesses to grow, attracting even more philanthropic investment and capital to Hong Kong. That will certainly boost our status as a global philanthropic centre.
Building on those efforts, we announced, in March, the launch of Impact Link, or iLink, a charity depository under the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy. iLink will connect donors with charity projects, enabling family offices and asset owners to ensure that their contributions have the maximum possible impact.
The Academy and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, I'm pleased to note, will collaborate at the Forum, bringing together experienced family offices to share best practices on creating lasting legacies through philanthropy.
My thanks to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for organising the Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum.
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a productive and inspiring conference. And I invite our guests from abroad to enjoy your good time in our world city, an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, and a whole lot more.
Thank you.
Source: AI-generated images
