The UK’s latest report on Hong Kong, released on Thursday, sparked condemnation from the Hong Kong government over its “absurd and false contents.” The report said that the city’s focus on national security was undermining its international reputation.

Amongst other things, the report specifically highlights the prosecution of British national and pro-democracy journalist Jimmy Lai, the enactment of the new national security law and the resignation of two retired UK judges from the Court of Final Appeal. The report observes that these events have reflected serious encroachment on civil liberties and political freedom in Hong Kong.

This is the 55th Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong, covering the period from January to June 2024. While Hong Kong’s economic and financial systems remain distinct, the report raises concerns about Hong Kong’s continued focus on perceived threats to national security. This concern, according to the report, undermines Hong Kong’s international reputation.

In the final part of the report, the UK urged Hong Kong’s authorities to uphold the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which states that Hong Kong should enjoy a high degree of autonomy. It also noted the importance of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Johannesburg Principles, under which fundamental rights must be protected.

In response, the government of Hong Kong rejected the report as “groundless attacks, slanders and smears”. It accused the UK of attempting to interfere in Hong Kong’s law-based governance through “despicable political maneouvres.” It compared its recent national security legislation with the UK’s National Security Act 2023, and stressed that political and civil liberties are not without limits.

This marks another round of heated exchanges between the UK and Hong Kong authorities since the previous six-monthly report published in April. Hong Kong also strongly condemned the report in April and persisted with its national security policies afterwards.