The government on Wednesday rejected accusations made in a European Union report that there were "continuous erosions" in political freedoms and autonomy in the SAR.

In a statement, a government spokesman said the administration "strongly disapproved of and rejected the unfounded and biased content against various aspects of the HKSAR in the so-called annual report on Hong Kong issued by the European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy."

He said the various rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people are all better protected under the territory's national security laws.

"The HKSAR Government strongly urges the EU to respect facts, abide by the international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop its long-arm jurisdiction and interference in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs."

The spokesman also said the media landscape in the SAR has remained vibrant since the enactment of national security legislation, though he noted that some people with ulteriorior motives have "fabricated facts about freedom of the press and speech in Hong Kong."



Edited by Cecil Wong