The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has said it strongly opposes and condemns countries, organisations and politicians who have made unsubstantiated and irresponsible accusations regarding a move by the Hong Kong Police Force’s National Security Department to put a number of individuals at large on a wanted list. 

  
In a statement this afternoon, the Hong Kong SAR Government said such remarks were entirely politically motivated.

 
It said that endangering national security is a very serious offence, and that no government will watch with folded arms when acts that risk national security are committed. 

The individuals on the wanted list, all of whom have fled overseas, are alleged to have committed offences under the National Security Law involving incitement to secession, subversion, incitement to subversion, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security.

 
The statement added that Police’s actions are reasonable, rational and legal, and stressed that extraterritoriality in relation to national security fully aligns with the international legal principle of protective jurisdiction.

 
Criticisms and smears concerning the extraterritoriality of Police’s operations are typical manipulations indicative of double standards, hypocrisy and arrogance, it said.

The statement iterated that the Hong Kong SAR Government will work tirelessly to apprehend the fugitive offenders, in accordance with the law, and will not allow them to evade justice.