HONG KONG, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has strongly disapproved of and condemned the malicious attack by the United States through signing a memorandum, which slandered Hong Kong's rule of law, democracy, and human rights situation, and extended and expanded the Deferred Enforced Departure eligibility for certain Hong Kong residents in the United States.

A spokesperson for the HKSAR government said that all countries in the world are duty bound to safeguard their national security. As a matter of fact, the United States has at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security. It is therefore in no position to point its finger at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security.

The HKSAR government steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people as protected under the law. Nonetheless, just as the case with other places in the world, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights expressly states that some of them may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law that are necessary for the protection of national security, public safety, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, etc.

The spokesperson emphasized that the enactment and implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong has plugged the loopholes in the legal system for the HKSAR to safeguard national security, enabling Hong Kong society to move on from chaos to order, and people's livelihood and economic activities to return to normalcy. Hong Kong's rise in world competitiveness rankings to be among the world's top economies is the best testament to the fact that high-level security protection would underpin high-quality development.

The National Security Law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly define the elements of relevant offenses, penalties, exceptions and defenses. International commercial and investment activities can only thrive where a stable society and the rule of law are guaranteed. Law-abiding persons, companies and organizations conducting normal business in the HKSAR will not unwittingly violate the law.

The spokesperson said that the HKSAR enjoys independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, and the courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.

The HKSAR government is steadfast in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, the spokesperson said, adding that the HKSAR government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the National Security Law in Hong Kong, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR.

The HKSAR government strongly demands that the U.S. government immediately stop the malicious smears of and interference in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs, said the spokesperson.