HKSAR gov't opposes smears against police lawful enforcement actions

28/7/2025 5:58

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Sunday strongly opposed and disapproved of smears by some foreign politicians against Hong Kong police's lawful enforcement actions.

A spokesperson for the HKSAR government responded to the distorted facts made by government officials and politicians from countries like the United States, Canada and Australia, as well as anti-China organizations on HKSAR's lawful act to pursue wanted persons endangering national security absconding from Hong Kong.

The spokesperson said that not only did such foreign government officials and politicians, as well as anti-China organizations, turn a blind eye to illegal acts of criminals, but also deliberately smeared and spread irresponsible remarks, in an attempt to mislead the public, about measures and actions taken by the HKSAR government in accordance with the law. The HKSAR government strongly disapproved of such acts.

Nineteen people outside the territory organized, established, or participated in a subversive group called the "Hong Kong Parliament." They are suspected of having committed the offence of subversion contrary to Article 22 of the national security law in Hong Kong and have been placed on a wanted list with cash rewards by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force.

The spokesperson said that the national security law in Hong Kong shall apply to a person who is a permanent resident of the HKSAR or an incorporated or unincorporated body such as a company or an organization which is set up in the HKSAR if the person or the body commits an offence under the national security law in Hong Kong outside the HKSAR.

Also, the law shall apply to offences under this law committed against the HKSAR from outside the HKSAR by a person who is not a permanent resident of the HKSAR. Therefore, the Hong Kong Police Force has the responsibility to pursue, in accordance with the law, persons suspected of committing offences under the national security law in Hong Kong outside the city, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson stressed that both the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. However, regarding an extremely small minority of organizations and individuals endangering national security, the HKSAR government will not condone their criminal acts, and will not give up pursuing them.

The spokesperson emphasized that absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong. Ultimately, they will be liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law.