Letter to Wall Street Journal (English only)
The Editor
The Wall Street Journal
Dear Editor,
Your opinion piece entitled “‘Subversive’ Art Is a Crime in Hong Kong” (May 7) contains groundless remarks about an “incitement to subversion” case in Hong Kong and grossly misleads readers.
The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force conducted searches with a court warrant on 5 May 2023 and an exhibit related to an “incitement to subversion” case under the National Security Law (NSL) was seized. A press release on the operation was issued promptly on the same day. The suggestion in the opinion piece that the enforcement action was “quietly executed” and “without due process” is hence simply grossly untrue.
It should be stressed that Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are duty-bound to bring to justice people and entities acting in violation of Hong Kong laws, including the NSL, and the Police’s actions sought to uphold the law. Law enforcement actions taken by our law enforcement agencies are based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law regarding the acts of persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.
We must also point out that investigation has been on-going for the case concerned. Like any other case, to collect evidence following progress of investigation to take forward the case is legal, reasonable and rational. That the opinion piece presented the exhibit of the criminal investigation as an “artwork” and the case as one concerning mere “dissent” is totally misleading.
The Government all along carries out its duties and obligations to safeguard national security in accordance with the law, and the handling of this case is no exception. All unfounded claims on the law enforcement actions taken by our law enforcement agencies are unacceptable.
Yours faithfully,
Tang Ping-keung
Secretary for Security
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region