China accuses US consul of ‘maliciously abusing Hong Kong’s national security law’ with comments on lawyer ruling

Companies should be aware that the risks they face in mainland China are now increasingly present in Hong Kong, says American consul general

Local government has impinged on city’s semi-autonomous status since national security law enacted after 2019 protests, Gregory May adds

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Gregory May, US consul general for Hong Kong and Macau, speaks as part of a Centre for Strategic and International Studies event on Wednesday. Image: CSIS

Published: 6:10am, 26 Jan 2023Updated: 9:26pm, 26 Jan 2023

Beijing hit back at the top US envoy to Hong Kong on Thursday over his comments about a ruling handing the city’s chief executive power over whether a national security trial defendant can use a foreign lawyer.

US Consul General Gregory May said Beijing’s interpretation of the national security law – a law mainland China imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 – “could further undermine the independence of Hong Kong’s judiciary system by expanding the Hong Kong executive branch authority to make decisions affecting cases without judicial oversight”.

“In light of these and other developments companies should be aware that the risks faced in mainland China are now increasingly present here in Hong Kong,” he added in remarks delivered on Wednesday at a Centre for Strategic and International Studies event for the Washington-based think tank.

The Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong condemned May’s speech on Thursday, accusing him of “maliciously abusing Hong Kong’s national security law and the interpretation by NPC Standing Committee” and “intentionally smearing the business environment of Hong Kong”.

“The national security law tackles the undefended issue of national security in Hong Kong to clamp down on the small minority and protect the great majority of citizens,” it said.

The office said the way May defamed the city’s rule of law and freedom would “only unveil his perilous intention to trouble Hong Kong and suppress China”.

The Hong Kong government said it “severely condemns” May’s “untruthful remarks and smears” about the national security law, as well as the city’s rule of law, rights and freedoms.