The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly opposed and condemned the UK and US for misleading the public again by making despicable smears against the Hong Kong SAR for faithfully implementing the National Security Law (NSL).

In a statement issued today, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the NSL was implemented to, in accordance with the law, prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, however, the two countries misled the public by making despicable smears under the pretexts of the "foreign travel advice" and "national emergency”.

It pointed out that as a highly international city, Hong Kong has frequent exchanges and close liaison with other countries, regions and relevant international organisations. Such normal exchange activities are protected by the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong.

What the NSL regulates is the use of Hong Kong by foreign countries or external elements to carry out acts and activities endangering national security, which is obviously different from normal exchange activities.

The NSL has provided clear definition to the specific elements of four categories of offences and no one, including tourists, will unwittingly breach the law.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said the UK has manipulated its foreign travel advice system into a political instrument, creating the illusion that all tourists coming to Hong Kong will be regarded as culprits endangering national security, thereby affecting normal travel. Such action bears ulterior motives and is extremely appalling and irresponsible.

It also emphasised that the US has blatantly and repeatedly breached the international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations, and wantonly interfered with the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong matters by extending again the so called “national emergency with respect to Hong Kong”. Such an act is arbitrary and unreasonable.

The Hong Kong SAR Government added that the US has time and again made skewed remarks about Hong Kong's situation and imposed such sanctions on Hong Kong pursuant to its domestic law, attempting to interfere with Hong Kong's law-based governance and undermine the city's rule of law as well as its prosperity and stability. Their despicable plots are doomed to fail.

Apart from noting that it despises the so-called national emergency with respect to Hong Kong and sanctions and shall not be intimidated, the statement pointed out that the Hong Kong Sar government will continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security.

It also highlighted that the scope of application of the NSL fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions.

The Hong Kong SAR Government specified that such practice is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world.

There are also numerous examples of extraterritorial application in the national security laws of other countries, including the UK and the US.

It stated that these countries make fact-twisting remarks against the extraterritorial application of the NSL while deliberately ignoring that of their own laws. It not only once again shows their double standards to the whole world, but also exposes their intention to put politics above everything.

The Hong Kong SAR Government solemnly urges the UK and US to discern fact from fallacy, immediately stop smearing and making skewed remarks regarding the implementation of the NSL and other situations in the Hong Kong SAR, and immediately refrain from interfering with the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong matters.