China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday voiced firm support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in safeguarding national security and punishing all acts that undermine national security in accordance with the law.

The High Court of the HKSAR on Tuesday held a hearing at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts to deliver sentences to 45 people found guilty in the case of "conspiracy to subvert the state power" in Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law. To abide by the law and bring lawbreakers to justice is a basic principle. No one should be allowed to use 'democracy' as a pretext to engage in unlawful activities and escape justice." Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the ministry, said.

Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson/MFA PRC

Lin also pointed out that certain Western countries while forgetting the fact that they uphold their own national security through relevant judicial procedures, have made unwarranted criticisms over the fair enforcement of the national security law by Hong Kong's court. This severely violates and tramples on the spirit of the rule of law. The Central Government firmly supports the HKSAR in safeguarding national security and punishing all acts that undermine national security in accordance with the law, and firmly opposes the interference of certain Western countries in China's internal affairs and their attempt to smear and undermine Hong Kong's rule of law by using relevant case. (By Ma Ziqian/China Youth Daily)

来源：中国青年报客户端