The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Wednesday strongly opposed slanderous remarks made by the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, officials of the European Union, politicians and anti-China organizations regarding its actions against offenders absconded overseas.

“Foreign government officials and politicians, as well as anti-China organizations, 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,” a government spokesman said in a statement, stressing that the SAR government strongly disapproves of such acts.

The statement referred to law enforcement actions taken on Tuesday against 13 overseas anti-China activists “who continue to engage in acts and activities endangering national security”. The HKSAR government revoked the passports of seven fugitives wanted on national security charges, and placed six more people who’ve also fled abroad on the wanted list.

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The seven abscondees hiding in the US and Australia continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security, inciting secession and requesting foreign countries to impose 'sanctions' or blockade and engage in other hostile activities against China and the HKSAR, the said the government.

“More so, they continue to collude with external forces to be covered for their evil deeds. It is therefore necessary to take such measures to make a strong blow,” the spokesman said, adding that the specified measures aim at addressing, combating, deterring and preventing acts of abscondment and procuring the return of absconded persons to Hong Kong to face law enforcement and judicial proceedings.

The spokesman pointed out that the measures including the cancellation of HKSAR passports and eligibility for application align with human rights requirements; and quite a number of countries including the US, the UK and Canada would also impose such measures on wanted criminals.

“It is indeed a demonstration of hypocrisy with double standards by any external forces or people with ulterior motives that, after the HKSAR government has announced the relevant measures, attack the HKSAR in safeguarding national security dutifully, faithfully and in accordance with the law.”

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Stressing that the city’s law enforcement agencies take law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law, the spokesman said the HKSAR government has the responsibility to pursue those who have allegedly committed offences endangering national security and absconded overseas in accordance with the law.

Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong. “Ultimately, they will be liable for their acts constituting serious offenses endangering national security and be sanctioned by the law," the spokesman added.

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The country’s Constitution and the SAR’s Basic Law steadfastly safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people, the spokesman said, underscoring that 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.