The Macau SAR government and the Legislative Council strongly oppose interference by external forces in the SAR’s judicial independence.

China News Service, Macau, November 7. The Macau SAR government and the Legislative Council expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition on the 7th to the untrue remarks made by the European External Action Service, the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and individual members of the European Parliament regarding the Macau SAR court's trial of the first national security case in accordance with the law.

The SAR government pointed out that Ou Jinxin is a Chinese citizen, and the SAR court's hearing of his case of endangering national security in accordance with the law is purely an internal matter of the Macao SAR. The judicial independence of the Macao SAR is strictly guaranteed by the Basic Law. The SAR government respects and supports the judicial authorities in independently hearing cases in accordance with the law. The judicial organs of the SAR have always strictly followed legal procedures, adhered to procedural fairness, conducted trials in accordance with the law, and pronounced judgments publicly, so that the legitimate rights and interests of the parties involved were fully protected.

The SAR government stated that Macao's "National Security Law" and its supporting legislation are in line with the Macao Basic Law, the international human rights conventions and international conventions applicable to Macao, and while safeguarding national security, they also protect the various rights and freedoms enjoyed by residents in accordance with the law. No organization or individual can use "human rights" or "freedom" as a shield to engage in illegal activities that endanger national security.

The SAR Legislative Council pointed out that no one in Macau is above the law, and all behaviors that challenge the fundamental national system established by the Constitution, challenge the constitutional order established by the Constitution and the Macau Basic Law, and violate the "Maintenance of National Security Law" must be severely punished by law.

The SAR Legislative Council emphasized that Ou Jinxin’s case is purely an internal matter of the Macao SAR and no external force has the right to interfere. We once again urge relevant countries and international institutions to respect China's sovereignty and stop all interference in China's internal affairs and Macao's internal affairs. (over)