The central government and Hong Kong Special Administration Region government officials
The officials sanctioned are Dong Jingwei, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Paul Lam Ting-kwok, secretary for justice; Raymond Siu Chak-yee, commissioner of police; Sonny Au Chi-kwong, secretary-general of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security in HKSAR; and two assistant police commissioners (national security) -- Dick Wong Chung-chun and Margaret Chiu Wing-lan.
The number of HKSAR government officials sanctioned by the US in the past five years has reached 17, including Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.
The HKSAR government also strongly disapproved of and rejected the untruthful remarks, slanders and smears against the SAR in the United States’ so-called "2025 Hong Kong Policy Act Report", which was released at the same time as the so-called sanctions were announced.
“The US once again told fallacies about Hong Kong by replacing the rule of law with political manipulation and confounding right and wrong, and blatantly interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are entirely China's internal affairs,” said a spokesman for the HKSAR government.
The spokesman said US attempt to undermine the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong will “only expose its slyness” and will never succeed.
"The so-called 'sanctions' arbitrarily imposed against the officials of the HKSAR and the central authorities who perform their duties in accordance with the law by the US at the same time when publishing the so-called report smacks of despicable political manipulation to intimidate the relevant officials safeguarding national security,” he said.
The spokesman said these grossly interfere in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs, and seriously violate the international law and the basic norms governing international relations.
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He said the latest US move has once again clearly exposed its “barbarity and hegemony” by using exactly the same tactics in bullying and coercing various countries and regions.
“The HKSAR despises such so-called 'sanctions' by the US and is not intimidated by such despicable behavior,” the spokesman said.
He emphasized that individuals targeted by Hong Kong’s legal actions are not persecuted for “exercising freedom of speech”, but are wanted for actively endangering national security.
“They have been at large in the US, the United Kingdom and Australia, and have continued to blatantly engage in activities that endanger national security, including inciting secession and requesting foreign countries to impose ‘sanctions’ or blockade and engage in other hostile activities against the People’s Republic of China and the HKSAR,” the spokesman said.
The HKSAR defended its legal measures under the national security law, including provisions to compel fugitives to return for trial, stressing that such actions are in line with international human rights standards.
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“Quite a number of countries, such as the US, the UK and Canada, would also impose such measures on wanted criminals. The US deliberately smeared and spread irresponsible remarks on the measures and actions taken by the HKSAR government in accordance with the law in an attempt to mislead the public,” the spokesman added.
He said HKSAR officials will continue to resolutely discharge their duties in safeguarding national security, and the government will make every effort to protect the legitimate rights and interests of all personnel.
The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR also condemned the US, branding its so-called “Hong Kong Policy Act Report” as “full of lies” and a “malicious distortion of Hong Kong’s rule of law and freedoms under ‘one country, two systems”.
The mainland authorities warned of taking firm retaliatory action.
“China will take resolute measures to counter this reckless US interference,” the commissioner’s office said. “HKSAR affairs are purely China’s internal matters that brook no foreign interference. Any external intervention is doomed to fail!”
It urged the US to strictly adhere to the principles of international law and fundamental norms of international relations, and immediately cease all forms of interference in the internal affairs of China and the HKSAR.
