◆回顾150多年的英国殖民统治时期，香港没有民主可言，没有一任港督是由港人民主选举产生，绝大部分时间立法机构成员更是直接由港督任命。与之形成鲜明对比的是，香港回归以后，根据基本法，香港享有行政管理权、立法权、独立的司法权和终审权，港人依法当家作主、自行管理特区高度自治范围内事务，香港居民前所未有地享有广泛的民主权利和自由，这是任何不抱偏见的人都会承认的事实。

◆ During the 150-plus years of British colonial rule, there was no democracy in Hong Kong whatsoever. None of the governors was democratically elected by Hong Kong residents. For most of the time, Legco members were directly appointed by the governor. In stark contrast, after the return of Hong Kong, pursuant to the Basic Law, Hong Kong has come to enjoy the executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. Its residents are masters of the SAR as provided by law who manage their own affairs within the scope of the high degree of autonomy. They enjoy a wide range of democratic rights and freedoms like never before. This is a fact that every fair-minded person would recognize.

香港国安法仅针对分裂国家罪、颠覆国家政权罪、恐怖活动罪、勾结外国或者境外势力危害国家安全罪四类犯罪行为，惩治的是极少数严重危害国家安全的犯罪分子，保护的是遵纪守法的绝大多数香港市民。立法有利于更好保障香港居民依法享有的各项权利和自由，更好保障香港依法享有的高度自治权，为解决经济民生等深层次矛盾问题创造条件，也有利于维护香港的法治环境和营商环境，消除商界人士对社会乱象的担忧，为世界各地愿意在香港工作、投资和生活的人创造更好的条件。

The national security law specifically targets four categories of crimes: secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. It seeks to punish a tiny number of criminals who seriously endanger national security and protect the vast majority of law-abiding Hong Kong citizens. It provides better protection for the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong enshrined in law. It creates the conditions needed for addressing the deep-seated problems in the economy and concerning people’s livelihood. It also helps maintain the rule of law and business environment in Hong Kong, ease the concerns of the business community about social disorder, and offer better conditions for people from around the world who want to work, invest and live in Hong Kong.

◆中国政府治理香港的法律依据是中国宪法和香港基本法，与《中英联合声明》无关。随着1997年香港回归中国，《中英联合声明》中所规定的与英方有关的条款已全部履行完毕。《中英联合声明》关于对港的基本方针政策是中方的政策宣示，已充分体现在全国人大所制定的基本法中。中方有关政策都没有改变，中方会继续坚持。《中英联合声明》没有赋予英国在香港回归后对香港承担任何责任和干预香港事务的权利。英方对回归后的香港无主权、无治权、无监督权。《中英联合声明》为中英双边文件，不涉及其他国家，与第三国无关。主权平等、不干涉内政是国际法和国际关系的基本准则，其他国家和组织无权假借《中英联合声明》干涉香港事务。

◆ 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. As China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, all provisions concerning the UK under the Joint Declaration had been fulfilled. The basic policies regarding Hong Kong stated by China in the Joint Declaration are China’s declaration of its policies, which have since been fully embodied in the Basic Law enacted by the National People’s Congress. These policies have not changed; they will continue to be upheld by China. The Joint Declaration does not assign the UK any responsibility over Hong Kong nor give it any right to intervene in Hong Kong affairs after the return of Hong Kong. The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or “right of supervision” over Hong Kong after its return. The Joint Declaration is a bilateral instrument between China and the UK; it does not involve any other country or has anything to do with a third country. Sovereign equality and non-interference are enshrined in international law and are basic norms of international relations. Other countries and organizations have no right to meddle in Hong Kong affairs on the grounds of the Joint Declaration.

◆美国无视香港民主与回归前今非昔比的客观事实，逆香港社会团结奋进的主流民意而动，以民主“教师爷”的口气指手画脚，对香港的高度自治和人权自由说三道四，这只能让他们虚伪的双标面目和乱港遏华图谋暴露无遗。

◆ Turning a blind eye to the fact that Hong Kong’s democracy has improved in ways unseen before its return, the US has acted against Hong Kong’s mainstream public opinion for unity and progress and made irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, human rights and freedom as the “preacher” of democracy. This only exposes its hypocritical double standards and the agenda to destabilize Hong Kong and contain China.

事实真相中方在乌克兰问题上始终秉承客观公正立场，同大多数国家的立场一致。推行冷战思维和强权政治才是乌克兰危机的根源。美国应切实承担起应尽责任，为缓和局势、解决问题拿出实际行动。

Reality Check On the Ukraine issue, China has always adhered to an objective and just position, a position shared by most countries. The Cold War mentality and power politics is the root cause of the Ukraine crisis. The US should earnestly shoulder its due responsibilities and take concrete actions to ease the situation and solve the problems.