Hong Kong ranking sixth in terms of order and security in the 2022 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index is sufficient proof of the important role of the National Security Law in maintaining the city's order and security, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said today.

In response to media enquiries, the Hong Kong SAR Government noted that the overall ranking of Hong Kong remains high in the index, attaining the sixth in East Asia and the Pacific, and the 22nd out of 140 countries and jurisdictions worldwide.

It pointed out that such a position is higher than some western countries that often unreasonably criticise Hong Kong’s rule of law and human rights situation.

Moreover, Hong Kong reaching sixth in terms of order and security proves that the National Security Law has not only restored order from chaos and strengthened the rule of law, but also earned recognition in the international community.

Additionally, Hong Kong's ranking of ninth in the world in terms of absence of corruption is a testament to the effectiveness of the city's anti-corruption work and its culture of probity.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also said it believes that the slight adjustment of Hong Kong's ranking in some aspects is possibly due to the lack of an accurate and overall understanding of the city's real situation.

It stated that it will step up its efforts in explaining Hong Kong's situation to ensure that others have a correct understanding of the system in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong SAR Government underscored that it totally disagrees with the opinions made by a relevant person as reported by the media, saying the content of which, if true, only reflects the lack of understanding of Hong Kong's real situation by that person.

In fact, since the city's reunification with the motherland, the Hong Kong SAR Government explained that it has been firmly committed to safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the people, both of which are protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The courts of the Hong Kong SAR have also been exercising their judicial power independently in accordance with the law.

Noting that Hong Kong has become safer, more stable and better protected in all aspects after the implementation of the National Security Law, the Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that countries around the world take threat to national security seriously and China is no exception.

Under the National Security Law, the Chief Executive appoints a list of designated judges to handle cases concerning national security, while the assignment of judges to handle particular cases remains the sole responsibility of the Judiciary.

The system of designated judges under the National Security Law does not in any way affect the independence of the Judiciary, the Hong Kong SAR Government stressed.

As the court noted in the Tong Ying-kit case, no reasonable, fair-minded and well-informed observer would think that a designated judge is or may be no longer independent of the Government, it added.