The Hong Kong residents always have and enjoy freedom of speech and freedom of the press, Hong Kong Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho said Wednesday at a meeting of the Legislative Council.

Patrick Ho said these freedoms are safeguarded by the law. Article 27 of the Basic Law which stipulates that Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Ho said that these freedoms are in fact referred to as the fundamental rights of Hong Kong residents. Provisions on the protection of freedom of opinion and expression in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) have also been incorporated into Article 16 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Chapter 383, Laws of Hong Kong), the latter governs the provisions in the laws of Hong Kong as well as the acts of the government or the public authorities.

He said he believed that the freedom of speech is the foundation of all freedoms. As the secretary for home affairs, his responsibilities in relation to human rights cover two areas:

Firstly, he is to protect and promote human rights in Hong Kong as enshrined in the framework of the ICCPR and to submit regular reports to the United Nations.

Secondly, he is to help build a civil society, maintain civil order and safeguard the rights of Hong Kong people.

For building a civil society is concerned, his goals are to ensure the smooth exchanges of views between the public and the government and to encourage the expression of opinions by people from all sectors.

Ho said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, like the public at large, greatly values and cherishes the freedoms it enjoys.

He said that in fact, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are the cornerstones underpinning Hong Kong's success. They are indispensable to Hong Kong's status as an international city and the continual development of the Hong Kong economy. The HKSAR government is committed to safeguarding these rights and freedoms.

He said, "We are very concerned about the recent departure of the radio talk-show hosts." He said that the central government has clearly expressed that it is its fundamental policy to safeguard the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy. The Central Government will not do anything to undermine the principle of "one country, two systems" and the interests of Hong Kong, he added.

Ho noted that Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. The government will never tolerate any unlawful means that damages the freedom of speech and rule of law, including intimidation, threats, criminal damage or the use of violence to compel submission.