On 1 July, Politiken and three other Nordic newspapers published an open letter that made groundless accusations under the cover of press freedom towards HKSAR Government's lawful actions against Apple Daily. This is a blatant interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, trampling on the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong. We resolutely reject this letter.
Hong Kong is a society with rule of law where everyone is equal before the law and any violation of the law must be punished. Apple Daily and its relevant personnel are suspected of conspiracy to collude with external forces to endanger national security. Their arrests and prosecution and freezing of assets are carried out in accordance with the law. These necessary and lawful actions to safeguard Hong Kong's rule of law have nothing to do with the protection of freedoms of speech and press. Freedoms of speech and press should not be used as an excuse for criminal acts, and no individual or organization is allowed to endanger national security or undermine social stability on the pretext of press freedom. No media outlet is beyond the reach of law. Politiken's baseless accusation of the Chinese Central Government and HKSAR Government misleads public opinion and deliberately confounds right with wrong.
Since the introduction of the national security law, the rule of law and order have been restored and life returned to normal in Hong Kong. Anyone unbiased will agree that today's Hong Kong enjoys a better business environment and its development is back on track. This law on safeguarding national security in HKSAR aims at a handful of people who seriously endanger national security while protects the legitimate rights and freedoms of the vast majority of Hong Kong residents. In fact, the number of overseas media outlets and their employees in Hong Kong has increased after the law's enforcement.
Mass media is supposed to be unbiased, fair and objective. We urge Politiken to respect facts and the rule of law, and stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs.