Hong Kong file photo

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Sunday strongly opposed and disapproved of smears with distorted facts by government officials and politicians from countries like the US, Canada and Australia, as well as anti-China organizations, on HKSAR's lawful act to pursue wanted persons endangering national security absconding from Hong Kong. 

Not only did such foreign government officials and politicians, as well as anti-China organizations, turned a blind eye to illegal acts of criminals, but also deliberately smeared and spread irresponsible remarks, in an attempt to mislead the public, about the measures and actions taken by the HKSAR government in accordance with the law, read the statement released by the HKSAR government on Sunday.

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force issued wanted notices on Friday for 19 individuals involved in subversive organization "Hong Kong Parliament," including wanted fugitives Yuan Gongyi and Ho Leung-mau Victor for suspected of violating the national security law for Hong Kong.

The HKSAR government's Sunday statement was made in response to irresponsible remarks made by countries including the US, Canada and Australia, which attempted to smear the arrest warrant.

The statement said the Hong Kong Police Force has the responsibility to pursue, in accordance with the law, persons suspected of committing offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) outside Hong Kong.

In the statement, the HKSAR government spokesman emphasized, "Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong. Ultimately, they will be liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law. No country or organization should harbor criminals nor try to exonerate these people with different excuses."

 "The Constitution and the Basic Law steadfastly safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people. Any attempt by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong's situation will only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and be doomed to fail. The HKSAR Government will continue to unwaveringly discharge its duty in safeguarding national security," the spokesman said via statement.


Global Times