The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today described US sanctions against 11 officials of the Central People’s Government and the Hong Kong SAR Government as shameless and despicable.

In a statement, it said the latest US Government measure represents blatant and barbaric interference in the People's Republic of China’s internal affairs, using Hong Kong as a pawn in its ploy to create trouble in the China-US relationship, out of self-serving interests of some US politicians.    

The statement pointed out that the US has taken advantage of anti-government riots in Hong Kong since June last year to target the Hong Kong SAR under the pretext of human rights, democracy and autonomy.

It should be obvious to and resented by many people, locally and around the world, that the US’ acts are displaying double standards and hypocrisy and blatantly breaching international laws and basic norms governing international relations, the statement added.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also severely condemned the US Government for deliberately making public the personal information of government officials.

It said such a deplorable move is no less than state-sanctioned doxxing that is a serious breach of privacy and personal safety. It added that it reserves the right to take any necessary legal action.

It will also fully support the central government to adopt countermeasures.

The Hong Kong SAR Government regrets that the US Government’s latest move on the so-called sanctions against its senior officials is an utterly disrespectful attempt which will undermine Hong Kong-US relations at various levels.

Speaking on behalf of her senior colleagues, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said those being targeted, including herself, are discharging an honourable duty to safeguard national security, protecting the lives and interests of not only the 7.5 million Hong Kong people but also the 1.4 billion Mainlanders.

Mrs Lam added that she and those targeted will not be intimidated.