On July 1, 2025, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government held a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square to celebrate the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the establishment of the HKSAR. Photo: VCG

In response to US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairperson and the spokesperson for the EU's Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who attacked the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the law's implementation, slandering Hong Kong's human rights and rule of law, and grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of the China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition on Tuesday. 

The NSL for Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance fully respect and protect human rights, with their effects being visible to all, the spokesperson said. Currently, Hong Kong's business environment continues to improve, ranking first as the world's most free economy, firmly maintaining its position as an international financial center (third in the world), and has regained its place among the top three in global competitiveness and the top ten in talent ranking, the spokesperson said. 

These facts fully demonstrate that the NSL for Hong Kong is an effective law for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, for maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, and for protecting the well-being of Hong Kong's residents and the interests of investors from around the world.

Certain politicians, disregarding their own poor record on human rights and rule of law, and ignoring the facts of Hong Kong's social prosperity, stability, and the well-being of its people, are openly interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, which exposes their hypocritical double standards and malicious intent of "using Hong Kong to contain China," the spokesperson said. 

We advise these politicians to recognize the reality, abide by international law and the basic norms of international relations, and immediately cease their interference in China's internal affairs and stop meddling in Hong Kong matters, the spokesperson added. 

In response to a statement issued by the EU External Action on the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the NSL for Hong Kong, the Mission of China to the EU expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the statement's unwarranted remarks on the law and its blatant interference in China's internal affairs, according to a statement on Tuesday.

Since the implementation of the law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong's rule of law and business environment have further improved, the foundation for long-term prosperity and stability has been further consolidated, and the legitimate rights and freedoms of the vast majority of Hong Kong residents have been better protected in a safer environment, the Mission of China to the EU said.

Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, where laws must be observed and lawbreakers held accountable. No one is above the law, nor can anyone engage in illegal activities under the pretext of so-called "democracy" or "freedom" and expect to evade legal consequences, the Mission of China to the EU said. 

Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs and brook no foreign interference. We urge the EU to abide by the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, respect China's sovereignty and Hong Kong's rule of law, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal matters in any form, according to the Mission of China to the EU.