The Editor
Wall Street Journal
Dear Editor,
Re: “Mike Pence Hits the Hong Kong Target” (22 January). The stance of The Wall Street Journal in supporting the ill-conceived comments by former Vice President Mike Pence, made during a closed-door business meeting in our city, that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government should ignore the rule of law in order to curry favour with the new US Administration, defies our expectations of any reputable media.
It is despicable that any foreign politician should make use of business activities for political manipulation in an attempt to challenge the rule of law in Hong Kong and undermine national security.
Hong Kong is, above all, a place that respects the rule of law and independent judicial power as core values. Our courts apply the same principles of law in national security cases as in other cases: the presumption of innocence, the requirement that guilt be proved beyond reasonable doubt, and the right to a fair trial are all essential safeguards that remain firmly in place. The rule of law is what Hong Kong holds dear, and will never trade away.
The above notwithstanding, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government always strengthens ties and exchanges with different countries, including the US. Indeed, despite political differences in recent years, Hong Kong and the US continue to enjoy mutually respectful and beneficial business and social ties. Our city will continue to serve as the most effective bridge linking our motherland with the rest of the world for years to come.
Yours faithfully,
Tang Ping-keung
Secretary for Security
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region