Q: On May 8, 2022, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a declaration on behalf of the EU on the Chief Executive election of the Hong Kong SAR, claiming that the election is a violation of democratic principles and political pluralism and the EU sees its selection process as yet another step in the dismantling of the “one country, two systems” principle. The EU calls on Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to abide by their national and international commitments. What is your response?

A: On May 8, the Sixth-Term Chief Executive election of the Hong Kong SAR was held smoothly and successfully. Mr. John Lee Ka-chiu was elected with overwhelming majority of votes. People from all sectors of the HKSAR spoke highly of the election and expressed warm congratulations to Mr. John Lee Ka-chiu. However, the EU side disregarded international law and basic norms of international relations, and grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs by publicly slandering and discrediting the process and result of the election. We express our strong disapproval of and firm opposition to this.

The election is the first HKSAR chief executive election held after Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order. It represents another successful practice of the HKSAR’s new electoral system. The election was conducted in a fair, just and orderly manner in accordance with laws and regulations. The extensive and in-depth public participation in the election demonstrates this is a democratic process and the result fully reflects the high recognition and support Mr. John Lee Ka-chiu gained in HK society. Facts have proved that HKSAR’s new electoral system is a good one that is in line with the "one country, two systems" principle and is suited to Hong Kong's realities. As Hong Kong marks the 25th anniversary this year of its return to the motherland, the practice of “one country, two systems” enters a new phase. We are confident that the new SAR government will lead Hong Kong to further success at a new starting point.

Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs are entirely China’s internal affairs. No external forces are allowed to interfere. We urge the EU side to abide by international law and basic norms of international relations and immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form to avoid damaging the overall China-EU relationship.