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｜鄧炳強

香港前所未有的經濟成就和穩定，得益於其國家安全法律和獨立的司法機構，這些事實不言自明。

近期，一位所謂的“香港專家”對香港經濟發展和維護國家安全工作方面的批評，事實上是毫無根據的。香港特別行政區政府正確地駁斥了這些指控。我們必須澄清事實。

自《香港國安法》和《維護國家安全條例》實施以來，香港居民的民生和香港的營商環境穩步改善，而我們的經濟表現持續創下新高。

維護國家安全的法律確保了投資和經濟發展有一個更安全、更穩定的環境。那些唱衰香港前景的人必須正視事實。

關於香港自由受到威脅的指控也是毫無根據的。香港居民的權利和自由受到《基本法》和《香港人權法案》的保障。

事實上，《香港國安法》和《維護國家安全條例》均明確規定，在維護國家安全時，應尊重和保障人權。

香港居民根據《基本法》享有的權利和自由，包括新聞自由、言論自由和出版自由，以及適用於香港的《公民權利和政治權利國際公約》和《經濟、社會與文化權利國際公約》的規定，均依法受到保護。

自《香港國安法》和《維護國家安全條例》實施以來，媒體環境依然充滿活力。

然而，與世界上所有其他地方一樣，新聞和言論自由並非絕對。媒體與所有人一樣，都有遵守法律的義務。

香港的執法機關針對有關人士或實體的行為，是基於證據並嚴格依法採取行動，不考慮其政治立場、背景或職業。任何企圖以此攻擊香港的言論都是毫無根據的。

香港的法治是穩健的。香港的司法制度一直以來都受到國際社會的高度評價。香港司法機構依法獨立行使司法權。香港的法官和司法人員完全依法履行司法和行政職責，不偏不倚，無懼無私。

案件嚴格依據證據和所有適用法律作出裁決。

關於法庭在審理國家安全案件或任何其他案件時受到政治壓力，或者香港法治有所倒退的指控，均不符合事實。事實上，美國商會2026年的調查顯示，94%的受訪者對香港的法治表示有信心，較2025年的83%有所上升。

這些數字代表了商界和企業家對香港的信任投票。

令人震驚的是，有人試圖通過不實之詞來抹黑香港。只要簡單地核查事實，就會發現香港比以往更加強大。

過去兩年，香港在吸引優質企業來港方面取得了前所未有的成就。根據我們的年度調查，2025年香港境外母公司公司（包括外國和內地）的數量增至11,070家，較上一年增長11%——這是總部設在境外公司的歷史新高。

這些企業合共在香港僱用了近51萬人，較2024年增長3%。

這些數字代表了商界和企業家對香港的信任。外國企業沒有理由擔心，而應該歡迎香港維護國家安全的法律，這些法律確保了投資和經濟發展的環境更安全、更穩定。

與世界上所有其他地方一樣，新聞和言論自由並非絕對。

香港的普通法制度是由司法機構和法律專業人士（包括各級法院的法官）多年來共同努力建立和維護的，其完整性不會因為個別海外非常任法官因年齡或其他個人原因離任而受到影響。

同時，傑出的海外法學家和執業者不時獲委任為高等法院暫委法官，這證明了國際法律界對香港司法制度的信心。

香港將繼續履行維護國家安全的責任，同時依法保障香港居民享有的權利和自由。

（英文原文刊於《中國日報》，中文為翻譯版本）