Hong Kong – CE makes statement on issuance of fact sheet by Ministry of Foreign Affairs
CE makes statement on issuance of fact sheet by Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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In response to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ issuance of a fact sheet earlier that sets out a host of acts of the United States (US) in interfering in Hong Kong affairs and supporting anti-China, destabilising forces, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, who is on a duty visit in the Mainland, made the following statement today (September 25):
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government firmly supports the Central People’s Government, strongly opposing interference in Hong Kong affairs by any external forces. Over the past two years, the external forces including the US used the legislative amendment exercise of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the enactment and implementation of the National Security Law as excuses to support individuals who are opposed to China to blatantly obstruct the HKSAR Government’s governance and advocate “Hong Kong independence”, “self-determination”, seriously endangering national security. They also continuously slander our nation, vilify the HKSAR Government and smear the National Security Law through diplomatic and other domestic political means, which are shameful and despicable.
I support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ issuance of the fact sheet that sets out the host of acts of the US in interfering in Hong Kong affairs and supporting anti-China, destabilising forces. The fact sheet systematically sets out 102 items in five broad categories of interference of the US in Hong Kong affairs through such acts as enacting Hong Kong-related Acts, imposing sanctions, making unfounded charges against HKSAR affairs, shielding and supporting those who are opposed to China and colluding with some countries and teaming up with allies to exert pressure on China. These facts are indisputable. The international community and Hong Kong people will grasp clearly through the fact sheet the US hegemony acts that wantonly interfere in Hong Kong affairs and resent them.
I noticed that a number of representatives of different countries spoke in support of our nation at the United Nations Human Rights Council session held recently and opposed to interference of other countries in Hong Kong affairs through various excuses. I am also grateful for the arrangements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to allow me and some Principal Officials of the HKSAR to present Hong Kong’s situation clearly at the sessions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ fact sheet, once again, shows that the National Security Law enacted by the Central Authorities and implemented in Hong Kong last year as well as the improvement of the electoral system of the HKSAR by the Central Authorities this year are proper, reasonable and necessary. In fact, following the enactment of the National Security Law, stability has been restored in Hong Kong society, actions have been taken against offenders according to the law and anti-China forces have significantly diminished. The improvement of the electoral system ensures the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, preventing people who are opposed to China to enter the political system of the HKSAR through elections. The acts of the Central Authorities help the HKSAR guard against interference of external forces, which are instrumental to the maintenance of national security and the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.
Following the enactment of the National Security Law and improvement of the electoral system, Hong Kong continues to be a free and open international city, where the business environment remains intact and the rights of the overseas enterprises in Hong Kong are even better protected than before. As Hong Kong is better positioned to integrate into the overall development of the nation, overseas enterprises in Hong Kong will be presented with more opportunities than before. We will continue to welcome foreign enterprises, including US enterprises, to set up offices and regional headquarters in Hong Kong, and use the city as a base for accessing the massive Mainland market.
Québec, Quebec Thanks to a total investment of $31.66 million, made as part of Canada–Quebec Operation High Speed, 5,460 households in the Estrie and Montérégie regions will have access to Vidéotron high-speed Internet services by September 2022. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Compton–Stanstead; Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister of Justice, Minister Responsible for the Montérégie Region and Member of the National Assembly for Borduas; Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services and Member of the National Assembly for La Prairie; Jean François Roberge, Minister of Education and Member of the National Assembly for Chambly; André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region and the Chaudière-Appalaches Region, and Member of the National Assembly for Johnson; Isabelle Charest, Minister for Education, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Member of the National Assembly for Brome-Missisquoi; Danielle McCann, Minister of Higher Education and Member of the National Assembly for Sanguinet; Lyne Bessette, Member of Parliament for Brome–Missisquoi; Brenda Shanahan, Member of Parliament for Châteauguay–Lacolle; Gilles Bélanger, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier (high-speed Internet) and Member of the National Assembly for Orford; MarieChantal Chassé, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economy and Innovation (innovation and entrepreneurship) and Member of the National Assembly for Châteauguay; Jean-Bernard Émond, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education (vocational training) and Member of the National Assembly for Richelieu; Claude Reid, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transport and Member of the National Assembly for Beauharnois; Chantal Soucy, Second Vice-President of the National Assembly and Member of the National Assembly for Saint-Hyacinthe; Claire Samson, Member of the National Assembly for Iberville; Louis Lemieux, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Culture and Communications (communications) and Member of the National Assembly for Saint-Jean; Claire IsaBelle, Chair of the Committee on Labour and the Economy and Member of the National Assembly for Huntingdon; Suzanne Dansereau, Member of the National Assembly for Verchères; and Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor. Vidéotron will receive a combined amount of $28.58 million from the two levels of government to support the deployment of high-speed Internet services to 5,460 households located in the municipalities, cities and parishes listed in the annex. Over the next few weeks, Vidéotron will take an inventory of the targeted regions to confirm the number of households. High-speed Internet services are considered essential today in a modern society like Quebec’s. Access to high-performance, reliable and affordable Internet services is at the core of communities’ economic and social development. The projects funded under Canada–Quebec Operation High Speed are a key part of the digital shift in Quebec and will promote access to telemedicine, distance learning, entertainment, online retail and telework. “This is excellent news for the Estrie and Montérégie regions, as well as for all of rural Quebec. The pandemic has shown us how essential high-speed internet access has become for our communities, not only to bring people together virtually, but also for work, studying or for business. Our government understands the urgency to connect all regions across Quebec and Canada. We are proud to take part in this important project and we will continue to invest and work in partnership with the Government of Quebec, so that every household has access to high-speed Internet by September 2022.” “I have worked especially hard on this issue since my election because I know that citizens of Brome-Missisquoi needs high-speed Internet to develop their businesses, stay connected with their loved ones and continue their studies. I am proud that Ottawa and Quebec are teaming up to provide high-speed Internet access to all Quebecers by the end of 2022 and especially to the citizens of Brome-Missisquoi.” “Operation High Speed Canada-Quebec marks a major breakthrough for the Internet file in Quebec. Thanks to a partnership between Ottawa and Quebec, as well as unprecedented investments, we will ensure that every household and business in the Montérégie region has access to high-speed Internet by September 2022.” “Our ambitious goal is to provide high-speed Internet access to all Quebec households by September 2022. Today’s announcement is another step in the right direction. The partnership agreement with Vidéotron will guarantee access to reliable and efficient high-speed Internet services in the Estrie and Montérégie regions. We are investing heavily to make Quebec a leader in connectivity.”Canada – $31.66 million to bring high-speed Internet access to 5,460 households in the Estrie and Montérégie regions by September 2022
– Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead
– Lyne Bessette, Member of Parliament for Brome-Mississquoi
– Brenda Shanahan, Member of Parliament for Châteauguay-Lacolle
– Gilles Bélanger, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier (high-speed Internet) and Member of the National Assembly for Orford
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