The Leisure & Cultural Services Department will launch a new phase of its Arts Fun Fair at Kowloon Park this Sunday. It will have 16 stalls displaying and selling craftworks that feature fabric crafts, floral artworks and ornaments. Park-goers can also participate in art services such as painting and portrait sketching. The fair will be open from 1pm to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays at the park's loggia until May 26 next year. Visitors can enjoy the park’s beautiful scenery while appreciating a wide range of handicrafts and artworks. The Arts Corner at Hong Kong Park is being held from noon to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays until December 31. The Arts Corner at Victoria Park welcomes applications from today until June 23 for operating stalls in the coming round of the fair. For enquiries about the fair in Kowloon Park, call 2724 3344. For questions about Hong Kong Park and Victoria Park, call 2521 5041 or 2890 5824 respectively. http:
The Government today said comments made in a farewell statement by US Consul General to Hong Kong Hanscom Smith regarding the National Security Law are unfair criticisms no further from the truth.
In a statement responding to media enquiries, the Government pointed out that the National Security Law has clearly stipulated four categories of offences that endanger national security, adding that such offences are clearly defined and are similar to those in the national security laws of other jurisdictions.
Any law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law, for the acts of the persons or entities concerned and have nothing to do with their background.
The Government further explained that prosecutions would only commence if there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction and if it is in the public interest to do so.
A defendant may only be convicted by the court if the court is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant has the relevant actus reus and mens rea of the offence.
What the National Security Law seeks to prevent, suppress and punish are distinctly different from normal interactions. Law-abiding people will not unwittingly violate the law, the Government stressed.
It emphasised that it is a clear fact that the National Security Law has stopped chaos and restored order in Hong Kong, ensuring the smooth and continuous implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
The statement added that the Government will continue to guard against any acts endangering national security and will bring any person or entity violating the law to justice regardless of background.
It also stressed that the remarks by the US consul general on the Chief Executive election held after the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's electoral system had been improved were made arbitrarily and oblivious of the fact that democracy has taken a quantum leap forward in the Hong Kong SAR since its return to the motherland in July 1997.
The statement noted that the development of democracy in the Hong Kong SAR must be consistent with its constitutional order under the Constitution and the Basic Law and the “one country, two systems” principle, as well as with the political, economic, social, cultural and historical circumstances of the Hong Kong SAR.
Improving the electoral system, fully implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” and safeguarding the overall interests of society are conducive to the stable development of Hong Kong's democracy, it added.
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