The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly condemns the untruthful remarks, slanders and smears contained in the UK's “six-monthly report on Hong Kong: January to June 2026”.

In a press statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government rejected the UK's attempt to interfere in the city’s governance through misleading remarks on local matters.

Emphasising that the core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration concerns China's resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong, it said the declaration does not authorise the UK to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs post-handover. The Hong Kong SAR Government urged the UK to respect international law and basic norms governing international relations and immediately cease its long-arm jurisdiction.

The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that it steadfastly safeguards the legally protected rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people, adding that the city's media landscape has remained vibrant since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

Pointing out the UK's hypocritical double standards, the statement highlighted that the UK had arrested nearly 4,000 people under its own national security and counter-terrorism laws as of June 2026. The statement said it is utterly ugly and despicable that the UK smeared the Hong Kong National Security Law and the city's law enforcement efforts as “undermining rights and freedoms”.

It further stated that the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law has brought freedom, stability and improvements to the local business environment, with Hong Kong continuing to be recognised as the world’s freest economy.

Stressing that Hong Kong society is underpinned by the rule of law, the Hong Kong SAR Government said any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from consequences for acting illegally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.

Addressing the report's mentions of the judicial verdict against Lai Chee-ying, the Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that the court's decision was strictly reasoned and well-founded, demonstrating absolute judicial independence.

The reasons for sentence also identified Lai Chee-ying as the mastermind and driving force behind conspiracies of “a grave nature”, noting that Lai Chee-ying opted not to appeal against his conviction or sentence. The statement described it as disgraceful that the UK continues to distort the truth and maliciously attack Hong Kong despite these ironclad facts.

Regarding the mechanism for certificates issued by the Chief Executive under the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the Hong Kong SAR Government said that judicial deference to executive authority on national security matters is a general rule practised in regions around the world, including the UK.