On July 1st, the Foreign Minister of Canada Mélanie Joly issued a statement concerning the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. She alleged that freedom of speech had been suppressed since the implementation of the National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR, called on China to act in accordance with the "international obligations", and attacked the practice of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong, which has grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs. The Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly condemns this.

It was not until Hong Kong returned to China that Hong Kong people started enjoying extensive rights and freedoms. The implementation of the National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR has earnestly protected rights and freedoms, including freedoms of speech, of the press, legally enjoyed by Hong Kong people, and earnestly safeguarded the national security and the rule of law and justice in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability can not be maintained without the National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR. As has been proven by facts that One Country, Two Systems is a sound policy that has been well-tested in practice. It serves the fundamental interests of the country and the entire nation and the fundamental interests of Hong Kong. It has the overwhelming support of over 1.4 billion Chinese people and has been fully endorsed by residents across Hong Kong. It has also been well-received internationally. At the same time,  One Country, Two Systems must be applied fully and faithfully, both the central government's overall jurisdiction and a high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong must be ensured, and the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” must be upheld.

Hong Kong is part of China. The legal basis for the Chinese government's governance of the Hong Kong SAR is the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and no external forces are in the position to make irresponsible remarks. The "deep ties" between Canada and Hong Kong are not an excuse to interfere in Hong Kong affairs. No attempt to maliciously smear the success of One Country, Two Systems will lead anywhere; no attempt to meddle in China’s internal affairs will succeed. These erroneous actions will never weaken China's commitment to fully and faithfully implementing One Country, Two Systems, never shake China's resolve to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and never bar the steady and continued success of One Country, Two Systems or stop Hong Kong from enjoying lasting prosperity and stability.

We, once again, urge the Canadian side to respect the rule of law, respect China’s sovereignty and unity, and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in any form. Otherwise, the Canadian side will only bring disgrace to itself and meet with strong reactions from the Chinese side.