To the Editor:

Martin Lee frames the protests in Hong Kong as a “last stand in defense of Hong Kong’s core values” of the rule of law, press freedom, good governance, judicial independence and protection of basic human rights (“Who Will Stand With Hong Kong?,” Op-Ed, Oct. 4).

For 17 years since Hong Kong’s return to China, we have, as promised, maintained our common law legal system, a clean and efficient government, and an independent judiciary.

We have been subject to the rigorous scrutiny of the Hong Kong and international media (the current protests being a case in point), encouraged and developed the infrastructure to ensure quick, unfettered access to the Internet, and worked hard to promote social inclusion and harmony in this highly free, open and cosmopolitan city.

Mr. Lee claims that China has violated its promises in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The Joint Declaration, signed in 1984, never mentions the election of the chief executive by universal suffrage. Only the Basic Law — a national law of China and Hong Kong promulgated in 1990 — states the ultimate aim of electing the chief executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee.