STORY: Any attempt to make unwarranted allegations against HKSAR government is unacceptable: John Lee
SHOOTING TIME: May 14, 2024
DATELINE: May 15, 2024
LENGTH: 00:00:46
LOCATION: HONG KONG, China
CATEGORY: POLITICS/LAW

SHOTLIST:
1. various of John Lee walking to the podium
2. various of the landscape of Hong Kong
3. various of John Lee delivering a speech
4. various of the exterior of central government offices

STORYLINE:

John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Tuesday urged the British government to ensure that the rights and interests of the staff of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in London are protected and the legitimate operation of the ETO unaffected.

"Any attempt to make unwarranted allegations against the SAR government is unacceptable," he reiterated before the press, in response to an announcement made on Monday by British police on charging three people, including ETO staff member in London, for allegedly aiding Hong Kong's intelligence service and breaching Britain's National Security Act.

Lee said that the duties of the trade offices are to liaise with foreign officials, businesses, think tanks and representatives of various sectors, to boost links and promote the economic and trade prospects of HKSAR.

The chief executive also noted that the Chinese Embassy in Britain has lodged serious representations to the British side for fabricating the so-called case, while the HKSAR government is still waiting for British authorities to respond to its demand for more information on the allegations.

The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR has denounced the British side for arbitrarily arresting Chinese citizens and slandering the HKSAR government, saying this violates the principles of international law.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong, China.
(XHTV)