Washington's remarks a case of sour grapes over waning HK influence

The US State Department spokesperson's recent remarks in the legal case involving Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung is yet another instance of unwarranted foreign interference in China's internal affairs. Reports quoted the spokesperson saying Wong was serving an "unjust sentence". Such comments not only distort the facts but also expose the United States' hypocrisy, selectively invoking "human rights" and "freedom" to serve its geopolitical agenda, while ignoring the fundamental principles of rule of law and national sovereignty.

Wong, who is already serving a 56-month prison sentence, was arrested again last Friday, under the National Security Law for Hong Kong, for suspected "conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security".

The Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region expressed firm opposition to the US State Department spokesperson's statement, urging the US to stop its political manipulation by shielding lawbreakers under the pretext of "human rights" and "freedom". The office stressed that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, where judicial independence is upheld, and no external forces should interfere with its legal processes.

The Hong Kong SAR government also rejected the remarks, emphasizing that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China and that its legal affairs should not be subject to foreign interference. As a special administrative region of China, Hong Kong operates under the principle of "one country, two systems", with its own independent legal system that safeguards rights and freedoms while maintaining social order. The National Security Law for Hong Kong was enacted in 2020 to restore stability after the violent protests and foreign-backed unrest in 2019, which severely disrupted public safety and challenged China's sovereignty.

The legal actions taken against individuals such as Wong, who were involved in activities that endangered national security, have been conducted strictly in accordance with Hong Kong's laws, where courts operate independently. To link these lawful measures with political power is not only factually incorrect but also disrespects Hong Kong's judicial autonomy.

The US government frequently positions itself as a defender of democracy and human rights, yet its double standards are glaring. When violent protests or attempts to undermine national security take place in other countries, Washington romanticizes those as "freedom struggles", while similar acts within the US are met with zero tolerance and strict enforcement of the law.

Moreover, the US has a long history of interfering in the internal affairs of other nations in the guise of promoting democracy. In Hong Kong, external forces encouraged and even supported radical elements, leading to chaos. True respect for Hong Kong's rule of law means allowing its legal system to function without external pressure or politicized narratives.

China's sovereignty over Hong Kong is absolute and nonnegotiable. The successful implementation of "one country, two systems" has ensured Hong Kong's prosperity while safeguarding national security. Justice in Hong Kong is administered by its courts, not dictated by foreign governments or media campaigns. Attempts to manipulate Hong Kong's legal processes for political gain undermine the very principles of rule of law that these critics claim to uphold.

The world should see the US' latest outburst for what it is — a case of sour grapes over losing its unhealthy influence in China's thriving metropolis.

- Zhang Xi, China Daily