Title: Criticism of our home city is simply baseless

Hong Kong’s unprecedented economic achievements and stability, underpinned by its national security laws and an independent judiciary, speak for themselves.

Recent criticism of aspects of Hong Kong’s economic development and work on safeguarding national security, by a so‑called expert on Hong Kong, is factually baseless. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government rightly rejects the allegations. We must set the record straight.

Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong residents’ livelihoods and Hong Kong’s business environment have steadily improved, while our economic performance is consistently scaling new highs.

Laws safeguarding national security ensure a safer and more stable environment for investments and economic development. Those who talk down Hong Kong’s prospects must face the facts.

Allegations that Hong Kong’s freedoms are under threat are also groundless. Hong Kong people’s rights and freedoms are protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

In fact, both the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security.

The rights and freedoms – including freedom of the press, of speech and of publication – enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law, and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, are protected in accordance with the law.

Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the media landscape has remained vibrant.

However, like all other places in the world, freedom of the press and speech is not absolute. The media, like everyone else, have an obligation to abide by the law.

Hong Kong’s law enforcement agencies have taken action based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the people or entities concerned, paying no regard to their political stance, background or occupation. Any attempt to attack Hong Kong for doing otherwise is groundless.

The rule of law in Hong Kong is robust. The city’s judicial system has always been highly regarded by the international community. The Hong Kong judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law. The city’s judges and judicial officers abide by their judicial and administrative justice in full accordance with the law, without fear or favour, self-interest or deceit.

Cases are decided strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws.

There is no truth to the accusation that the courts are under political pressure in the adjudication of national security cases, or indeed any case, or that there has been a decline in the rule of law in Hong Kong. Indeed, the American Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 survey found that 94 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s rule of law, a rise from 83 per cent in 2025.

Such numbers represent a vote of confidence in Hong Kong by businesses and entrepreneurs.

It is appalling that anyone would try to smear Hong Kong by resorting to untruths. A simple fact‑check will reveal the city has emerged stronger than before.

Hong Kong has made unprecedented achievements over the past two years in attracting quality businesses to our city. According to our annual survey, the number of foreign‑ and mainland‑affiliated companies in Hong Kong rose to 11,070 in 2025, up 11 per cent from the previous year – a record‑high number of firms with parent companies located outside the city.

Together, these enterprises hired nearly 510,000 people in Hong Kong, up by 3 per cent from 2024.

Such numbers represent a vote of confidence in Hong Kong by businesses and entrepreneurs. Foreign businesses have no reason to worry and should welcome the laws safeguarding national security, which ensure a safer and more stable environment for investments and economic development.

Like all other places in the world, freedom of the press and speech is not absolute.

The city’s common law system has been built and maintained over the years by the joint efforts of the judiciary and legal professionals, including judges at all levels of courts, and its integrity will not be affected by the departure of individual overseas non‑permanent judges, whether due to age or other personal reasons.

Meanwhile, eminent overseas jurists and practitioners are appointed to sit as deputy High Court judges from time to time, testifying to the international legal community’s confidence in Hong Kong’s judicial system.

Hong Kong will continue to discharge its responsibility to safeguard national security and, at the same time, safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law.

Author: Chris Tang Ping‑keung is Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security.

文｜邓炳强

香港前所未有的经济成就和稳定，得益于其国家安全法律和独立的司法机构，这些事实不言自明。

近期，一位所谓的“香港专家”对香港经济发展和维护国家安全工作方面的批评，事实上是毫无根据的。香港特别行政区政府正确地驳斥了这些指控。我们必须澄清事实。

自《香港国安法》和《维护国家安全条例》实施以来，香港居民的民生和香港的营商环境稳步改善，而我们的经济表现持续创下新高。

维护国家安全的法律确保了投资和经济发展有一个更安全、更稳定的环境。那些唱衰香港前景的人必须正视事实。

关于香港自由受到威胁的指控也是毫无根据的。香港居民的权利和自由受到《基本法》和《香港人权法案》的保障。

事实上，《香港国安法》和《维护国家安全条例》均明确规定，在维护国家安全时，应尊重和保障人权。

香港居民根据《基本法》享有的权利和自由，包括新闻自由、言论自由和出版自由，以及适用于香港的《公民权利和政治权利国际公约》和《经济、社会与文化权利国际公约》的规定，均依法受到保护。

自《香港国安法》和《维护国家安全条例》实施以来，媒体环境依然充满活力。

然而，与世界上所有其他地方一样，新闻和言论自由并非绝对。媒体与所有人一样，都有遵守法律的义务。

香港的执法机关针对有关人士或实体的行为，是基于证据并严格依法采取行动，不考虑其政治立场、背景或职业。任何企图以此攻击香港的言论都是毫无根据的。

香港的法治是稳健的。香港的司法制度一直以来都受到国际社会的高度评价。香港司法机构依法独立行使司法权。香港的法官和司法人员完全依法履行司法和行政职责，不偏不倚，无惧无私。

案件严格依据证据和所有适用法律作出裁决。

关于法庭在审理国家安全案件或任何其他案件时受到政治压力，或者香港法治有所倒退的指控，均不符合事实。事实上，美国商会2026年的调查显示，94%的受访者对香港的法治表示有信心，较2025年的83%有所上升。

这些数字代表了商界和企业家对香港的信任投票。

令人震惊的是，有人试图通过不实之词来抹黑香港。只要简单地核查事实，就会发现香港比以往更加强大。

过去两年，香港在吸引优质企业来港方面取得了前所未有的成就。根据我们的年度调查，2025年香港境外母公司公司（包括外国和内地）的数量增至11,070家，较上一年增长11%——这是总部设在境外公司的历史新高。

这些企业合共在香港雇用了近51万人，较2024年增长3%。

这些数字代表了商界和企业家对香港的信任。外国企业没有理由担心，而应该欢迎香港维护国家安全的法律，这些法律确保了投资和经济发展的环境更安全、更稳定。

与世界上所有其他地方一样，新闻和言论自由并非绝对。

香港的普通法制度是由司法机构和法律专业人士（包括各级法院的法官）多年来共同努力建立和维护的，其完整性不会因为个别海外非常任法官因年龄或其他个人原因离任而受到影响。

同时，杰出的海外法学家和执业者不时获委任为高等法院暂委法官，这证明了国际法律界对香港司法制度的信心。

香港将继续履行维护国家安全的责任，同时依法保障香港居民享有的权利和自由。

（英文原文刊于《中国日报》，中文为翻译版本）