HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns and resolutely opposes UK's six-monthly report on Hong Kong
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
A spokesperson for the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (October 23) expressed resolute opposition and issued a strong condemnation regarding the untruthful allegations, slanders and smears targeting various aspects of the HKSAR in the so-called six-monthly report on Hong Kong (January to June 2026) published by the United Kingdom (UK) Government. LegCo firmly supports the solemn statement issued by the HKSAR Government to refute the UK's disregard for facts.
The Legislative Council. Photo source: reference image
The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. The core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It is not an "international treaty" that confers upon the UK any continuous right of supervision over the HKSAR after its return to the motherland. With China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, all rights and obligations concerning the UK under the Joint Declaration have been completely fulfilled. Following Hong Kong's return, the constitutional and legal basis for the Chinese Government to govern Hong Kong is the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China. The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over the HKSAR, and has no right whatsoever to interfere in the affairs of the Region.
The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance are institutional foundations for Hong Kong to restore order, safeguard freedom and development. The UK report portrays Hong Kong's improvement of national security legislation and law enforcement as an erosion of rights and freedoms, while deliberately evading a fundamental fact: prior to the implementation of the HKNSL, Hong Kong experienced severe violent turmoil, public order was severely impacted, and the personal safety and normal lives of citizens were directly threatened. Following the implementation of the HKNSL, Hong Kong society has restored peace and order, providing a solid foundation for developments in Hong Kong's economy, people's livelihood and other aspects. The UK ignores the actual situation of Hong Kong society returning to stability and safety, and its so-called report is purely a pretext to stir up trouble.
In fact, the UK itself possesses at least 14 pieces of legislation safeguarding national security. A country that relies on such an intensive system of national security laws to safeguard its own security stigmatises the law enforcement and judicial measures taken by Hong Kong against a tiny minority of acts endangering national security as undermining rights and freedoms. Such hypocritical double standards precisely expose the political manipulation essence of the report, rather than a genuine concern for the rule of law and human rights.
The LegCo spokesperson emphasised that Hong Kong's judicial independence is fully protected by the Basic Law. Courts independently adjudicate cases strictly based on evidence and the law, and all reasons for verdicts and sentencing judgments are fully public and free from political interference. The World Justice Project recently released the Rule of Law Index 2026, showing that Hong Kong's ranking remains high and unchanged, maintaining sixth place in East Asia and the Pacific region and ranking 24th among 143 countries and regions globally. Hong Kong's scores in most areas remain comparable to last year, with rankings continuing to lead individual Western countries that unceasingly and unreasonably criticise Hong Kong's rule of law and human rights situation.
Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image
The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, where laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers held accountable. Courts in Hong Kong strictly follow the law to adjudicate cases concerning offences endangering national security, including the "Lai Chee-ying case", in a fair and impartial manner, and openly explain the reasons for verdicts and sentencing; conviction decisions are all reasoned and well-founded. The UK Government's so-called report groundlessly attacks Hong Kong's judicial system and trials, and even unreasonably demands the release of convicted persons, which is overtly placing politics above court judgments. This is a blatant trampling on the rule of law and a gross interference in Hong Kong's judicial independence.
Hong Kong has entered a new stage of advancing from stability to prosperity, where security and legal systems are effectively safeguarded, governance efficacy is enhanced, social order is stable, the business environment is continuously optimised, and residents' rights and freedoms are fully protected in accordance with the law. If the UK is genuinely concerned about Hong Kong, it should face these facts and establish a pragmatic and constructive relationship with Hong Kong. The LegCo spokesperson strongly urged the UK Government to stop publishing untruthful and highly misleading so-called reports regarding Hong Kong affairs, and to stop interfering in the HKSAR affairs which are purely China's internal affairs. The spokesperson reiterated that LegCo will, as always, under the executive-led system, firmly support the HKSAR Government in administering in accordance with the law, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".
