Recently, The Global and Mail published an article, which, regardless of facts and limit, presents a slander that China erases freedom of speech in Hong Kong and governance in Hong Kong has become "one country, one system". We expresse strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this slander.

This article says that the purpose of implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR is to eliminate independence of Hong Kong and end "one country, two systems". But in fact, China has been fully and faithfully implementing the principle of "one country, two systems" under which the people of Hong Kong govern Hong Kong and enjoy a high degree of autonomy since its return. It has been keeping governing Hong Kong based on laws, and keeping the constitutional order in Hong Kong as established by the Constitution and Basic Law of Hong Kong. The Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR further completes the legal system of "one country, two systems", closes the legal loopholes of HK national security, consolidates the foundation of "one country", ensures that Hong Kong can not only keep the base of "one country", but also exerts the advantages of the "two systems", and ensures the stable and long-lasting implementation of "one country, two systems".

This article says Hong Kong will never go back to the way it was, and the people of Hong Kong should only expect things to get worse. However, as a matter of fact, since the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR took effect one year ago, national security has been safeguarded, Hong Kong society has been brought back to the right track, the rule of law and justice have been upheld, and the lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents and foreign citizens in Hong Kong have been better protected in a safer environment. According to statistics from Hong Kong Police Force, the number of crimes dropped about 10 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the 9.2% and 6.8% increases in 2019 and 2020, respectively. In 2020, the amount of capital flowing into Hong Kong was USD 50 billion, and funds raised through IPOs in its stock exchange ranked the second largest globally. The Hong Kong economy grew 7.9% in the first quarter of 2021 year-on-year. A recent report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reaffirms Hong Kong's position as an international financial center. These facts are a vote of confidence for the national security law and Hong Kong's prospect.

The article says freedom of speech in Hong Kong disappears. However, in fact, the National Security Law in Hong Kong explicitly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, which the residents of the Region enjoy under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR and the provisions of relevant international covenants as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. The national security law is implemented just to better ensure HK residents' legal rights and freedoms in a safer environment. Taking press freedom as an example, there are 93, 69 and 39 local, overseas and online media organizations registered in the government, respectively, showing increases from a year ago.

The international community affirmed the effects of the law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, and so do many Canadians living in Hong Kong. No attack or smear can stop Hong Kong's turnaround from chaos to stability and prosperity. The Chinese government is firmly resolved in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing the policy of “one country, two systems”, and opposing external interference in Hong Kong affairs.

On the contrary, both Canada itself and the international community are increasingly concerned about Canada's human rights situation recently. Since last May, we have seen several pieces of news about unmarked graves and human remains at the sites of former residential schools for indigenous children. The historical crimes must not be forgotten. Even nowadays, Canadian indigenous people continue to suffer from unfairness and discrimination. Canada is not qualified to criticize China at all. Instead, it should reflect on its own human right issues.

We urge Canadian media to keep an objective attitude toward issues concerning China's core interests, especially issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope Canadian media to observe their professional ethics, respect facts, instead of providing a platform for spreading false information, attacking and smearing China.