Hong Kong’s overall ranking remains high in the 2023 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index as it continues to rank the sixth in East Asia and the Pacific, and attains the 23rd out of 142 places covered in the index, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said today.

In a statement in response to media enquiries, the Hong Kong SAR Government noted that among the countries and jurisdictions covered by the index, Hong Kong remains ahead of some European and American countries which often unreasonably criticise Hong Kong’s rule of law and human rights situation.

It also pointed out that Hong Kong’s score is higher than last year in terms of order and security and continues to attain the sixth in its global ranking.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said it is sufficient proof that the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) plays an important role in maintaining the city’s order and security, adding that the NSL provided the necessary conditions for ensuring Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, and enables Hong Kong residents to enjoy their rights and freedoms in a safe and peaceful environment.

It further stressed that the NSL is conducive to the rule of law, the protection of human rights, the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, and the long-term interests of both the country and the "two systems".

Apart from pointing out that the city’s ninth global ranking in respect of absence of corruption demonstrates that Hong Kong's anti-corruption efforts have been widely recognised, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it will continue to promote the exchange of anti-corruption experience among experts and scholars from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, thereby strengthening the city's international status in integrity building.

As for fundamental rights, Hong Kong's score is also higher than last year and ranked three places higher globally. What’s more, the city’s global rankings in regulatory enforcement and criminal justice climbed one and two places respectively, while its scores slightly dropped in constraints on government powers, open government and civil justice.

The Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that Hong Kong's overall score is the same as the countries ranked globally from the 20th to the 22nd.

Regarding the minor drop in scores in some aspects and the slight adjustment in the global ranking, the Hong Kong SAR Government stated that it will continue to enhance the international community's proper understanding of Hong Kong’s rule of law situation, thereby telling the city’s good stories.

Additionally, it stressed that the Hong Kong SAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to the top priority of the principle of "one country, two systems".

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that it will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the NSL and further strengthen the city's legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security to prevent, suppress and punish in accordance with the law acts and activities that endanger national security.

At the same time, it made it clear that it will safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law with a view to ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".