The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it firmly rejects the findings of a “2025 report” issued by the United States-China Economic & Security Review Commission (USCC).

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it rejects the report’s groundless attacks, slanders and smears against various aspects of Hong Kong – including its efforts to safeguard national security and to protect human rights and the city’s business environment – and deplores the USCC's politically motivated efforts to interfere in the affairs of the Hong Kong SAR.

The statement iterated that the Hong Kong SAR, a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under “one country, two systems”, is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. It said Hong Kong’s guarantees equality before the law as buttressed by the rule of law and independent judicial power.

It also emphasised that endangering national security is a very serious offence, and highlighted that the US itself has at least 21 items of legislation and countless administrative orders relating to safeguarding national security.

In terms of the USCC’s report, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it pointed fingers at Hong Kong’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms while disregarding the constitutional duty and practical needs of the Hong Kong SAR to legislate and enhance relevant laws, and the positive effects brought by the enactment of national security legislation on economic development and the protection of human rights.

It stressed that the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) over the last five years has enabled livelihoods and economic activity in Hong Kong to resume as normal and the business environment to be restored and improved.

Moreover, it highlighted that extraterritorial effect for offences under the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) is necessary, legitimate and fully aligned with the principles of international law and international practice. It said that the Hong Kong Police Force is therefore duty-bound to pursue those who have allegedly endangered national security outside of Hong Kong.

Noting that other countries, including the US, pursue wanted criminals overseas, it said the US is the real perpetrator of “transnational repression” in its abuse of long-arm jurisdiction and sanctions.

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that all judicial cases in the city are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. All defendants receive a fair trial in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

In response to the report’s mention of cases involving Wong Chi-fung and Lai Chee-ying, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the USCC’s ulterior motives are obvious, and constitute an attempt to interfere with judicial proceedings in Hong Kong, abet the evasion of criminal justice, and undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong.

With regard to report’s threats of “sanctions” on the Hong Kong SAR, the statement said this was a reprehensible attempt to use political power to deter relevant personnel in the Hong Kong SAR from discharging their responsibilities to safeguard national security, and to interfere in the law enforcement and judicial process of the Hong Kong SAR.

The Hong Kong SAR Government added that as the US and Hong Kong have close and long-standing economic ties, and that the US has vast business interests in Hong Kong, a stable and prosperous Hong Kong is of mutual benefits to both places.