Current location:Planet Perspectives news portal > style
Officials back warrants for HK fugitives abroad
Planet Perspectives news portal2024-05-09 06:13:13【style】6People have gathered around
IntroductionHong Kong celebrates the 20th anniversary of its return to the motherland with a flag-raising ceremo
Hong Kong celebrates the 20th anniversary of its return to the motherland with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square on July 1 last year. [Photo/XINHUA]
Actions protect rule of law, national security from foreign interference
Central government officials on Tuesday firmly rejected foreign politicians' interference in, and condemnation of the Hong Kong police's lawful act of putting eight fugitives on the wanted list for endangering national security.
On the same day, Hong Kong officials pledged to adopt all lawful means to catch the eight fugitives and thoroughly investigate the forces behind them. Legal experts and political heavyweights expressed full support for the police move, saying it is prudent, legitimate and can carry a deterrent effect on other activists.
Hong Kong police on Monday offered a reward of HK$1 million ($128,000) for each of the eight fugitives wanted for endangering national security after the court approved the issuance of arrest warrants against them. They comprise three exiled former lawmakers and five other people who have allegedly advocated separatism and sought foreign sanctions against Hong Kong.
A group of overseas politicians and organizations, including a spokesperson for the United States' Department of State, relevant congressional bodies, the US Consulate General in Hong Kong, and the British foreign secretary, have since criticized the arrest warrants and openly slandered the National Security Law for Hong Kong.
A spokesperson for the commissioner's office in the HKSAR strongly rebuked the behavior of overseas politicians, pointing out that the eight fugitives have long been engaged in actions that jeopardize national security.
Even after fleeing overseas, the fugitives have continued to spread political rumors and advocate "Hong Kong independence", actively encouraging foreign interference in the SAR's affairs, and sanctions against Hong Kong.
Such behaviors openly challenged the authority of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the bottom line of "one country, two systems", posing a grave threat to national sovereignty, security and development interests, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson emphasized that Hong Kong police have acted in accordance with the law by pursuing these anti-China disrupters, and their actions are also in line with international law and common practices. It's a legitimate move by the SAR to safeguard national security, protect the rule of law and uphold social justice.
At a news conference, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mao Ning said the eight seriously hurt the fundamental interests of Hong Kong SAR and endangered China's sovereignty, security and development interests.
The spokesperson added that relevant countries should respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in the Hong Kong SAR, and stop supporting and sheltering such activists. China is determined to oppose any external interference in Hong Kong SAR affairs, she added.
Meeting reporters on Tuesday, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said the government will do everything possible to bring the criminals to justice. Lee also called on the public, including relatives of the fugitives, to offer information to help the police track them down.
The only way to cancel the warrant is for the fugitives to surrender themselves, he said. Under the National Security Law, surrendering may result in the court considering a reduction in sentence, but otherwise, the individual will remain a fugitive for life and live in constant fear of arrest, Lee stressed.
Veteran solicitor and legislator Kennedy Wong Ying-ho said the eight have become fugitives following the issuance of the warrants. He said their activities have now been restricted and they're under extreme pressure.
Although the activists have fled overseas, they might go to places that have signed agreements with Hong Kong on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, Wong said. They would be detained once they return to the SAR.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convener of the Executive Council and former secretary for security of the HKSAR, said that the police's efforts to track down eight fugitives have a deterrent effect, which can intimidate their followers.
Lawmaker Lai Tung-kwok, who also served as secretary for security of the HKSAR, said that the government's arrests will restrict the movement of activists.
Lai also believed that the government's high-profile arrests are not only intended to apprehend activists, but also to caution their supporters.
The government aims to convey to these supporters that they are violating the law if they provide financial or other forms of support to the fugitives, Lai added.
Oasis Hucontributed to this story.
Address of this article:http://micronesiafederatedstatesof.thesocietyguide.org/content-87a199877.html
Very good!(58)
Related articles
- PrettyLittleThing billionaire Umar Kamani and new wife Nada host Disney
- China's top legislator meets DPRK top leader
- Chinese vice premier urges intensified emergency rescue, flood response work
- Boosted by sci
- Mexico tightens travel rules on Peruvians in a show of visa diplomacy to slow migration to US
- Peru's foreign minister to visit China
- Argentina's FM to visit China
- Xi presents order to promote military officers to rank of general
- California Supreme Court to weigh pulling measure making it harder to raise taxes from ballot
- China's property sector advances on new fronts
Popular articles
Recommended
PSG faces a difficult rebuilding task without Mbappé as the curtain falls on superstar era
Jude Bellingham scores late to seal El Clasico win
Xi meets Russian foreign minister
China's Shanxi culture, tourism promotion event held in Morocco
James Argent showcases his toned arms following 14
China's Queqiao
New energy industry faces undercapacity, not overcapacity
King Charles is keen to saddle up for Trooping The Colour as he returns to public duties this week
Links
- Super Tuesday: What is it and why is it so important?
- Super Tuesday: What is it and why is it so important?
- How middle
- Engineering student, 21, falls to his death from 120 foot waterfall while hiking through Big Sur
- Best quotes from Harry and Meghan's shocking Oprah interview
- 16,000 SQ FT home in Montana goes on sale for just $10
- Zendaya details intense tennis training for Challengers as co
- NZ to give $6m in humanitarian aid to Sudan and Gaza
- The truth about trend of new mothers drinking their OWN breast milk
- Bernie Sanders wants to spend $10BILLION on long Covid 'moonshot' operation