BUILDING DISASTER RESILIENCE OF
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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly disapproves of and opposes the so-called "2024 Annual Report" issued by the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), which made malicious smearing remarks against multiple areas in the Hong Kong SAR. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it disapproves of the CECC's repeated tactics to interfere in the affairs of Hong Kong through the so-called annual report, and for making slandering remarks against the city, where “one country, two systems” is successfully implemented. The US is once again making unfounded and fact-twisting remarks, the Hong Kong SAR Government specified, adding that such attempt to undermine the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and interfere in its law-based governance is smack of despicable political manipulation with ill intentions. "The CECC openly clamours for so-called 'sanctions' with an aim to intimidate Hong Kong SAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security. The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly condemns its political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all. “The Hong Kong SAR despises the so-called 'sanctions' and will not be intimidated by such a despicable behaviour. It will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security. "The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterates that it steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to the highest principle of “one country, two systems”. It added that it strongly demands the US to immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs. The Hong Kong SAR Government sternly refuted the slandering remarks against the Hong Kong SAR in the US' so-called report citing three aspects that include safeguarding national security, safeguarding the due administration of justice and rule of law, and safeguarding rights and freedoms. It stated that it strongly opposes the absurd and untrue content regarding legislation safeguarding national security in Hong Kong contained in the report. In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states. Many common law jurisdictions, including the US, the UK, Australia and Canada, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation and implemented measures to safeguard national security. The US’ report completely ignored the severe national security threats posed by the riots and the Hong Kong version of “colour revolution” in 2019, and neglected that the implementation of the National Security Law has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the community and the business environment to return to normalcy, the Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out. “This is a clear demonstration of hypocrisy with double standards. In fact, security and development work together like the two wings of a bird. Development requires a safe social environment. “The Hong Kong SAR has fulfilled the constitutional responsibility and historic mission of enacting local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law. The newly enacted Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) achieves convergence, compatibility and complementarity with the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL).”Together the SNSO and HKNSL form a comprehensive legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security. Hong Kong can finally advance from stability to prosperity following the transition from chaos to order, the Hong Kong SAR Government said.It added that extraterritorial effect for the offences endangering national security under the HKNSL and the SNSO fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. “It is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world including the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and member states of the EU. Police have the responsibility to pursue those who are suspected of committing offences endangering national security outside Hong Kong.” Smearing remarks in the US' report pinpointing custodial and rehabilitation work of Hong Kong is untrue, misleading, irresponsible and absurd, the Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised, noting that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) is committed to ensuring the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy, and has put in place an established mechanism to ensure the rights of persons-in-custody (PICs) are protected. Such rights include regular inspection of independent visitors, namely Justices of the Peace. The CSD performs its duties in accordance with the law and regulations in managing all PICs, regardless of their background, it added. As regard the administration of justice, Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers held accountable, which is well recognised by international communities, the Hong Kong SAR Government noted. Apart from stressing that the Basic Law clearly stipulates the Judiciary shall exercise judicial power independently in accordance with the law, free from any interference, it specified that everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing as guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The Department of Justice, by virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law, shall control criminal prosecutions and make independent prosecutorial decisions based on an objective assessment of all admissible evidence and applicable laws, the Hong Kong SAR Government said. The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws. Cases will never be handled any differently owing to the profession, political beliefs or background of the persons involved, and the prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offence before a defendant may be convicted by the court, it explained. Regarding rights and freedoms, the Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that it steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by its people as protected under the law, noting that human rights in Hong Kong have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law since its return to the motherland. The HKNSL and the SNSO clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, and the rights and freedoms that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. The Hong Kong SAR Government indicated that such rights and freedoms include the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration. As is the case with other places in the world, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The ICCPR expressly states that some of them may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law that are necessary for protection of national security, public safety, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, etc, the Hong Kong SAR Government added.
At
midnight
at the Hong Kong Observatory :
Air temperature : 16 degrees Celsius
Relative Humidity : 42 per cent
Please be reminded that:The Fire Danger Warning is Red and the fire risk is extreme.The Cold Weather Warning is now in force. Cold weather might cause adverse health effects. Members of the public should take care to keep warm. The air temperatures at other places were:
Hong Kong Observatory16 degrees ;
King's Park16 degrees ;
Wong Chuk Hang15 degrees ;
Ta Kwu Ling11 degrees ;
Lau Fau Shan14 degrees ;
Tai Po14 degrees ;
Sha Tin16 degrees ;
Tuen Mun16 degrees ;
Tseung Kwan O15 degrees ;
Sai Kung15 degrees ;
Cheung Chau15 degrees ;
Chek Lap Kok17 degrees ;
Tsing Yi16 degrees ;
Shek Kong14 degrees ;
Tsuen Wan Ho Koon13 degrees ;
Tsuen Wan Shing Mun Valley15 degrees ;
Hong Kong Park14 degrees ;
Shau Kei Wan15 degrees ;
Kowloon City15 degrees ;
Happy Valley15 degrees ;
Wong Tai Sin15 degrees ;
Stanley16 degrees ;
Kwun Tong14 degrees ;
Sham Shui Po15 degrees ;
Kai Tak Runway Park16 degrees ;
Yuen Long Park14 degrees ;
Tai Mei Tuk15 degrees .
Communicable Diseases Watch Volume 20, Number 11, Weeks 43 - 47 (October 20 – November 23, 2024)
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