HONG KONG - The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday urged foreign media outlets to refrain from concocting or spreading false information in their reporting of Hong Kong matters.

Certain foreign media outlets have made slanderous remarks against the HKSAR's disaster-relief efforts in the deadly fire in the residential complex Wang Fuk Court, and attacked and interfered with the Legislative Council General Election, said the office in a statement about its talks with directors and journalists of some foreign media outlets operating in Hong Kong on Saturday.

These false reports fomented antagonism within the society, hurt the feelings of Hong Kong residents and misled the global community, said the office.

The office urged directors and reporters of foreign media outlets in Hong Kong to abide by the law, uphold professional ethics, and adhere to the principles of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity and fairness of news reporting.

The office affirmed its support for the HKSAR government in protecting the legitimate rights and interests of journalists of foreign media outlets in Hong Kong to conduct reporting in accordance with the law, and in continuing to provide necessary assistance.