China slams UK's remarks on decision to charge 47 HK activists

China expressed strong opposition to the UK's remarks on the decision to charge 47 Hong Kong politicians and activists, the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the UK said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that the comments mix right and wrong and interfere in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty. 

The spokesperson noted China upholds the rule of law and that the handling of the case by Hong Kong judicial authorities is in line with the law and brooks no distortion or discredit.

The statement followed claims made by the British foreign secretary related to the National Security Law and the case.

The accusation that the National Security Law for Hong Kong has been used to "stifle any political dissent" is absurd, said the spokesperson, adding that the law closes a legal loophole when it comes to safeguarding national security and providing effective safeguards for democratic rights and extensive freedoms to residents.

On the allegation that the National Security Law "violates the Joint Declaration," the spokesperson stressed it is a non-issue. "The Chinese government governs the Hong Kong SAR, in accordance with the Constitution of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration."

China urged the UK to view the National Security Law and the handling of the case from an objective and fair perspective.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, also slammed the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority for its remarks on this issue, urging it to stop with the political manipulation of Hong Kong affairs and using human rights as an excuse.