26th December 2024 – (Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has voiced strong disapproval and rejection towards the U.S. for reauthorising the Sanctions Provisions under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA) within the National Defense Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
A government spokesperson emphasised that every sovereign state holds the inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security in alignment with international law and practice. The U.S.’s 21 national security laws highlight a double standard when scrutinizing the HKSAR’s legal system’s efforts to protect national security.
Regarding the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), it was clarified that human rights are respected and protected during national security enforcement in the HKSAR. The offences outlined in the related Ordinance target specific acts endangering national security, with precise definitions and penalties, focusing on deterring and preventing such activities without impinging on the basic rights of Hong Kong residents.
The HKSAR Government strongly denounced the US’s pursuit of sanctions aimed at intimidating officials steadfast in safeguarding national security. The US’s actions were labelled as political grandstanding with evident ill intentions, met with condemnation and firm resolve by the HKSAR. The government pledged to continue its duty of safeguarding national security without succumbing to such tactics.
Highlighting its commitment to enforcing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions, the HKSAR Government has maintained a robust mechanism to implement UNSC resolutions. This includes measures such as denying entry to designated vessels and scrutinising Hong Kong-based firms to prevent evasion of UNSC sanctions. Additionally, the HKSAR actively participates in international treaties like the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty.
The spokesperson warned that the U.S.’s persistent actions could jeopardise the mutually beneficial relationship between Hong Kong and the US, affecting the interests of American companies operating in the region. Foreign governments and legislatures were urged to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the HKSAR.
