The U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, May Rurui, who took office last year, gave a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) forum earlier, responding to the incident last month that Jimmy Lai of Next Media planned to hire Mr. Yang for the case of the “Hong Kong National Security Law” , criticizing the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for interpreting the law to expand the power of the executive authority, and the lack of supervision by the Hong Kong judiciary in the process may further undermine Hong Kong’s judicial independence. Mei Rurui also pointed out that the United States will continue to criticize Beijing or Hong Kong government officials for undermining Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, and will not name and ask the Hong Kong government to release Li Zhiying and other detainees. The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong issued a statement yesterday morning (26th) severely condemning, criticizing Merrill for slandering the rule of law and freedom in Hong Kong, maliciously attacking the interpretation of the law, supporting anti-China rioters, and bad-mouthing Hong Kong’s development prospects. The Hong Kong government also issued a statement severely condemning false and slanderous remarks, and once again strongly urged the U.S. government to immediately stop actions that do not comply with international law and the basic norms of international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs.
In his speech, Mel Rurui mentioned that many people disagree with the treatment of Jimmy Lai and other defendants imprisoned under the “Hong Kong National Security Law”. He reiterated that the United States will continue to speak out and criticize Beijing or Hong Kong government officials for undermining Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. and urge the Hong Kong government to release all those unfairly detained and to have their charges dismissed. Merrill also mentioned that 15,000 Americans left Hong Kong in the past two years, accounting for about 20% of the American community in Hong Kong. There are still tens of thousands of Americans and 1,300 American companies living or operating in Hong Kong. He described the United States as a “Stakeholders”, the US side’s voice is not interference. He also reminded American companies that after the implementation of the “Hong Kong National Security Law”, the risks of doing business in the Mainland will also appear in Hong Kong.
Li Zhiying, 6 senior executives of Next Media and Apple Daily, together with 3 companies under the group, are suspected of violating the “Hong Kong National Security Law”, and they plan to hire Yang Dawei to defend. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress stated earlier that if a case involving the “National Security Law of the Hong Kong Area” is hired as a defense or litigation representative who does not have the full qualifications in Hong Kong, a certificate issued by the Chief Executive must be obtained. Otherwise, the National Security Council should intervene. Judgment and decision in such circumstances.
