The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government firmly supports the Central People's Government, strongly opposing interference in Hong Kong affairs by any external forces, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today.

Mrs Lam made the statement in response to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' issuance of a fact sheet earlier that sets out a host of acts of the US in interfering in Hong Kong affairs and supporting anti-China, destabilising forces.

She pointed out that over the past two years, external forces including the US used the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance legislative amendment exercise and the National Security Law enactment and implementation as excuses to support individuals who are opposed to China to blatantly obstruct the Hong Kong SAR Government's governance and advocate Hong Kong independence and self-determination, seriously endangering national security.

The Chief Executive added that they also continuously slander our nation, vilify the Hong Kong SAR Government and smear the National Security Law through diplomatic and other domestic political means, which are shameful and despicable.

Mrs Lam expressed her support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' issuance of the fact sheet which systematically sets out 102 items in five broad categories of US interference in Hong Kong affairs through such acts as enacting Hong Kong-related acts, imposing sanctions, making unfounded charges against Hong Kong SAR affairs, shielding and supporting those who are opposed to China and colluding with some countries and teaming up with allies to exert pressure on China.

She noted that these facts are indisputable. The international community and Hong Kong people will grasp clearly through the fact sheet the US hegemony acts that wantonly interfere in Hong Kong affairs and resent them.

“I noticed that a number of representatives of different countries spoke in support of our nation at the United Nations Human Rights Council session held recently and opposed interference of other countries in Hong Kong affairs through various excuses.”

Mrs Lam expressed gratitude to the ministry for its arrangements to allow her and some Hong Kong SAR principal officials to present the city's situation clearly at the sessions.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' fact sheet, once again, shows that the National Security Law enacted by the central authorities and implemented in Hong Kong last year as well as the improvement of the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR by the central authorities this year are proper, reasonable and necessary.

“In fact, following the enactment of the National Security Law, stability has been restored in Hong Kong society, actions have been taken against offenders according to the law and anti-China forces have significantly diminished.

“The improvement of the electoral system ensures the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong', preventing people who are opposed to China to enter the political system of the Hong Kong SAR through elections.

“The acts of the central authorities help the Hong Kong SAR guard against interference of external forces, which are instrumental to the maintenance of national security and the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.”

Mrs Lam reiterated that following the enactment of the National Security Law and improvement of the electoral system, Hong Kong continues to be a free and open international city, where the business environment remains intact and the rights of the overseas enterprises in Hong Kong are even better protected than before.

She added that as Hong Kong is better positioned to integrate into the nation's overall development, overseas enterprises in Hong Kong will be presented with more opportunities than before.

“We will continue to welcome foreign enterprises, including US enterprises, to set up offices and regional headquarters in Hong Kong, and use the city as a base for accessing the massive Mainland market.”