UK told to stop 'smearing' National Security Law
The Hong Kong government on Friday said it strongly opposed and condemned government officials and politicians in Britain for "unreasonably smearing the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL), and attempting to demonise the actions taken by the National Security Department (NSD) of the Hong Kong Police Force." In a statement, it said endangering national security was a very serious offence.  "No country will watch with folded arms acts and activities that endanger national security. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation," a government spokesman said. The statement follows criticism from the UK and other countries of Hong Kong police for offering HK$1 million rewards for information leading to the arrests of eight people who have left the SAR and are wanted for alleged offences under the NSL. The parents and brother of one of them, who is now living in Britain, were questioned by officers earlier this week over suspicions of assisting persons wanted for activities that endangered national security. "No matter how the relevant countries harboured these absconders, and tried to exonerate them in various forms and means, they could not change the fact that the persons involved, who have fled overseas, are alleged to have continued to commit offences under the NSL that seriously endanger national security. The actions by NSD are reasonable, rational, legal, and indeed necessary," the government spokesman said. He added that the scope of the NSL's application "fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions". The spokesman said there were numerous examples of extraterritorial application in the national security laws of other countries, including Britain.  "The HKSAR Government solemnly urges the UK to discern fact from fallacy, stop immediately their wanton slanders and smears against the NSL and the implementation of the Law in the HKSAR, and refrain immediately from interfering with the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong matters," he said.