On August 9, foreign ministers of Canada and other relevant countries issued a statement, once again made unwarranted comments on Hong Kong affairs, which grossly interfered in China's internal affairs. The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's decision to postpone the election in the face of the raging pandemic is a justified and necessary step to ensure people's safety and health and a safe, fair and just election. Some nominees' words and deeds have challenged the limits of the law, and the decision of the Returning Officers to invalidate their nominations for the Legislative Council election of HKSAR is strictly in line with the Basic Law, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in HKSAR and the electoral laws of the HKSAR.

The Law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong has plugged the legal loopholes in Hong Kong. It ensures the steady and sustained implementation of the policy of "One Country, Two Systems" on the basis of rule of law and durable security and stability of Hong Kong. The legislation protects the safety, rights and freedoms of the vast majority of the Hong Kong residents enjoyed in accordance with law. After Hong Kong's return to the motherland, all the provisions concerning the British side in the Sino-British Joint Declaration were fulfilled. The legal basis for the Chinese government to govern Hong Kong is the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR. The Sino-British Joint Declaration is not relevant in this regard.

This ill-intended statement is full of prejudice and arrogance, and it neglects facts and truth, applies double standards, interferes in China's internal affairs and seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations. It will only undermine "One Country, Two Systems", damage the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with law. I want to stress that Hong Kong is China's Special Administrative Region and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. The Chinese side urges relevant countries to immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of the Hong Kong-related issues, and not go further down the wrong path.