The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly opposes and condemns certain countries and organisations for making irresponsible and unsubstantiated accusations against the lawful actions of Police's National Security Department to put people at large on a wanted list.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that endangering national security is a very serious offence and that no country will watch with folded arms acts and activities that endanger national security.

It is a common practice of Police and other law enforcement agencies to release information of fugitive offenders who have allegedly committed serious offences and are wanted, and appeal to the public to assist in bringing fugitive offenders to justice. This is also squarely in line with the international practice.

Extraterritoriality is a common feature of national security laws in many countries, including the UK and the US. The scope of application of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. Such practice is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world.

“Some countries have chosen to continue to deliberately ignore the extraterritorial effect of their laws in safeguarding national security, and wantonly made unreasonable criticisms and smeared the extraterritorial effect of the NSL and Police's law enforcement actions conducted in accordance with the law time and again. These are clearly typical manipulations tainted with double standards,” the statement noted.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also stressed that it is outrageous that wanted people who have absconded overseas allegedly continue to engage in acts and activities endangering national security.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will not condone such criminal acts, and will pursue the liability of the fugitives who have absconded overseas and endangered national security to the end by adopting all practicable measures to bring them to justice. No country or organisation should harbour criminals nor exonerate these people with different excuses.

“Fugitives should not have any delusion that they could evade legal liabilities by absconding from Hong Kong. Fugitives will be pursued for life unless they turn themselves in.”

The Hong Kong SAR Government added that it will continue to uphold the principle of “laws are observed so as to bring offenders to account” and apprehend the fugitive offenders in accordance with the law and will not allow them to evade justice.