China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is a law-based society, and no individual or institution is above the law, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Friday in response to remarks made by some Western politicians on the arrest of five executives of Apple Daily and related companies.

Two of the five were charged for the offense of collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security under the national security law on Friday, the HKSAR government said. The other three were being detained for further investigation. 

Zhao voiced support for the HKSAR government's efforts to safeguard the security, stability and prosperity of the country.

At a regular press briefing, he also urged other countries to let go of pride and prejudice, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs. 

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Hong Kong police arrest 5 people for suspected violation of national security law

The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the HKSAR also issued a statement, urging foreign politicians to stop undermining Hong Kong's rule of law and judicial independence.

The statement reiterated that the HKSAR is governed by the rule of law. It clarified that the action taken by the police aimed to combat crimes endangering national security, and have nothing to do with press freedom.

"It is common sense that no one shall meddle with ongoing judicial proceedings. The law enforcement and judicial authorities in the HKSAR will handle the cases impartially and justly in strict accordance with facts and the law, and external forces are in no place to make groundless accusations," said the statement.

"No noise, interference or pressure from external forces will ever sway the firm determination of the central and the HKSAR governments to safeguard national security and fully and faithfully implement 'One Country, Two Systems,' the statement added.

It also urged politicians in the few countries to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, immediately stop their clumsy show of condoning anti-China troublemakers in Hong Kong, stop futile attempts to disrupt the rule of law and judicial independence of the HKSAR, and stop meddling with Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs as a whole.