The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong has strongly criticized the United States for its recent travel advisory, accusing Washington of “slander” and “distorting facts” in relation to the national security law. The Chinese government body has urged the US to revise its advisory to avoid further harming diplomatic relations with Hong Kong, one of Asia’s leading financial hubs.
The US State Department’s advisory, issued Wednesday, once again warned travelers to “exercise increased caution” when visiting Hong Kong, citing the 2020 national security law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance of 2023. These laws were enacted by Beijing to ensure the city’s stability following months of pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Hong Kong’s status in the four-tier US travel advisory system remained at Level 2, indicating a moderate risk, while mainland China was downgraded from Level 3 to Level 2. Despite the reduction in warning for mainland China, Hong Kong’s status remains unchanged, and the advisory continues to caution against the “arbitrary enforcement of local laws,” which the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong has firmly rejected.
A spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office responded sharply, asserting that Hong Kong is “one of the safest and most livable cities in the world” and that the national security law has helped maintain stability, allowing the city to flourish economically. In the first half of 2024, Hong Kong welcomed over 21 million visitors, a 64% increase from the previous year, signaling a robust recovery and renewed confidence from the international community.
The spokesperson also emphasized that the national security laws clearly define offenses, ensuring that tourists and visitors will not unintentionally violate the law. “The US has ignored the facts and resorted to malicious tactics by spreading false information about Hong Kong,” the spokesperson said. “We strongly urge the US to retract this misleading advisory, correct its misjudgments, and remove any barriers hindering exchanges with Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong’s government also issued a statement condemning the US advisory, accusing Washington of using the travel advisory as a political tool to smear the city’s reputation. The Hong Kong government reiterated that the national security laws are transparent and will not target innocent visitors, adding that such actions by the US could undermine travel and exchange between the two nations.
The controversy comes amid rising tensions between the US and Hong Kong, especially following the US government’s recent decision to impose visa restrictions on several Hong Kong officials responsible for implementing the national security law. This move was triggered by the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy figures, including former legal scholar Benny Tai Yiu-ting, who received a 10-year sentence for organizing an unauthorized “primary” election to subvert the government.
The Chinese government has reiterated that these laws are crucial for Hong Kong’s long-term stability and security, rejecting foreign interference in the city’s legal matters. As diplomatic tensions continue to escalate, China is urging the US to stop politicizing Hong Kong’s legal framework and respect the city’s sovereignty.
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