Dear Editor,
I write to express our discontent against the opinion piece written by Kevin Yam and carried by various media outlets in Australia, including yours, on 20 March.
We strongly oppose any attempt by the writer, a wanted person suspected of having committed offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law and who has fled overseas, to smear the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government through baseless allegations.
Hong Kong is underpinned by the rule of law, and all enforcement actions must be taken in accordance with the law. There is no exception for actions against the criminal suspects who have fled overseas. It is the duty of the law enforcement agencies of the HKSAR Government to continue to pursue them by lawful means and to hold them liable for their acts and activities endangering national security regardless of their whereabouts. We have reiterated time and again that the HKSAR Government never issues any anonymous letter, nor resorts to unlawful means such as abduction to procure the suspects’ return to Hong Kong.
Any sensible person receiving anonymous letters should remain cautious and verify the authenticity of such letters. Assistance from the local law enforcement agencies should be sought if needed.
The despicable intention behind the scaremongering opinion piece is obviously to spread fear and hatred against the Central People’s Government and HKSAR Government, and to intimidate Hong Kong judges including Non-Permanent Judges of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal from other common law jurisdictions. The judicial system of the HKSAR has always been highly regarded by international communities. Any attempt by any organisation or individual to exert pressure on judges and judicial officers is clearly a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of the HKSAR and should be vehemently condemned.
The HKSAR Government will not be intimidated by any such political maneuvers. We will continue to resolutely safeguard national security in accordance with the law.
Benjamin Mok
Deputy Secretary for Security 4
Security Bureau
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region