Gov’t pushes back hard on US policy report, citing interference and hypocrisy

The government demanded that the US immediately stop acting against international law.

The government has rejected the United States' characterisations of the city's legal landscape as politically motivated distortions and demanded that Washington cease what it called unlawful interference in China's internal affairs.

In a formal statement, the government demanded that the US immediately stop acting against international law and the basic norms of international relations by interfering in Hong Kong matters.

The government's response was sweeping in scope, addressing the report's criticism across several fronts — press freedom, national security legislation, law enforcement conduct, and specific judicial cases.

The government turned the press freedom argument back on Washington, citing figures it said exposed the US position as untenable.

According to statistics referenced in the statement, US law enforcement authorities arrested more than 30 journalists in 2025 alone, with over 170 cases of violence against journalists recorded — 90% involving law enforcement officers.

Moreover, US officials have also been cited for banning certain media outlets from press conferences and threatening to prosecute media organisations for treason.

The government characterised US claims about press freedom in Hong Kong as "utterly shameless" given this backdrop.

Further, the government strongly opposed what it called absurd and false claims regarding its national security efforts, rejecting US vilification of the city's legislative work, law enforcement agencies, and prosecutorial and judicial authorities.

It maintained that enacting and enforcing the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance represent a constitutional duty, not a rights infringement.

In a pointed reference to the recently amended Implementation Rules for Article 43, the government said the 2026 rules enhance measures available to law enforcement authorities, clarify legal procedures, and strengthen enforcement powers.

The government also addressed two specific matters raised in the US report. On the November fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, it firmly rejected what it called malicious attacks on law enforcement actions and attempts to sow discord.

On a case involving financial dealings with a fugitive, the government stressed that the court made clear the defendant's conviction followed a fair trial and was entirely unrelated to whether the defendant was a relative of the absconder, noting the defendant has since withdrawn an appeal.

The HKSAR Government closed its statement by reiterating its commitment to full implementation of all national security legislation while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents under the "one country, two systems" framework.