In response to the joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand on the election of the seventh Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a spokesman for the Special Administrative Region government said on the 21st that he firmly opposes the accusations made by the above five countries that ignore the facts and are groundless. The spokesman pointed out that the five countries' statement "attempts to discredit the general election of the Hong Kong Legislative Council". The spokesman said that the improvement of the electoral system would fully implement the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" and ensure that members of the Legislative Council are people who love the country and Hong Kong and who are based on the interests of national development and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. On this basis, the elected members of the new Legislative Council come from different backgrounds and political spectrum, and their diversity highlights the wide representation and political inclusiveness of the improved electoral system. They are elected through election committee elections, functional constituency elections and district direct elections respectively, balancing the overall interests, sectoral interests and regional interests of Hong Kong. The Legislative Council election ensures balanced participation. In addition, the benign competition among candidates in this election also reflects the fairness and competitiveness of the new electoral system. The spokesman pointed out that with the support of the central government and the protection of Hong Kong's national security law and a sound electoral system, Hong Kong's democratic development will be promoted in an orderly manner in accordance with the basic law. Any destructive forces and political schemes from outside and inside will not succeed. The spokesman said that since the implementation of Hong Kong's national security law, Hong Kong society has been able to turn from chaos to rule. The Hong Kong national security law ensures that the HKSAR can unswervingly, comprehensively and accurately implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, and that its citizens continue to enjoy the rights and freedoms under the basic law in accordance with the law. The definition of crimes against national security stipulated in the national security law of Hong Kong is rigorous, and law-abiding people will not fall into the net of law by mistake. (Xinhua News Agency)