HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Saturday hit out at US lawmakers' attempt through a so-called "bill" to intimidate HKSAR personnel safeguarding national security.

"The HKSAR despises any so-called 'sanctions' and shall never be intimidated. It shall continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security," a spokesperson for the HKSAR government said.

"The HKSAR government strongly urges the US politicians concerned to discern facts from fallacies, and immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs," the spokesperson noted.

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"It is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR to safeguard national security. In accordance with international law and international practice based on the UN Charter, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states," the spokesperson said.

Many common law jurisdictions, including the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as Singapore, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation to safeguard national security, the spokesperson said, adding "Turning a blind eye to the fact and making exaggerated remarks, the US politicians have demonstrated typical political hegemony and hypocrisy with double standards."

In the Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report, Hong Kong ranks as the world's freest economy among 165 economies. In the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, Hong Kong's ranking improved by two places to fifth globally, the spokesperson pointed out.

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"However, those US politicians insist on turning a blind eye to all these facts, and even clamor for so-called 'sanctions' against the HKSAR personnel who dutifully safeguard national security. The HKSAR government strongly condemns their political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all," the spokesperson said.

The HKSAR government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the national security law in Hong Kong, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, while upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems," the spokesperson reiterated.