HKSAR Government Denounces Washington Post Editorial as "False and Malicious"
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) issued a strongly worded condemnation on Saturday, June 13, 2026, denouncing a Washington Post editorial that criticized the city's Safeguarding National Security (Procedural Matters) Regulation as a "nightmare" for Hong Kong. In a detailed rebuttal, the HKSAR Government accused the newspaper of "wanton slander," "groundless allegations," and exposing an "irrational anti-China stance and double standards."
A HKSAR Government spokesperson stated that the Procedural Matters Regulation merely clarifies the classification mechanism for offences endangering national security under existing legislation, bringing "even greater certainty" to implementation. The spokesperson rejected claims that the regulation creates retroactive criminal liability, calling such assertions "false and malicious." The statement emphasized that the regulation does not create any new offences, alter penalties, or turn lawful conduct into criminal activity.
The spokesperson pointed out that the United States itself has at least 21 pieces of legislation safeguarding national security, accusing the Washington Post of "shamelessly displaying its hypocrisy and double standards" by criticizing Hong Kong's efforts to fulfill its constitutional duty. The response further noted that any reasonable observer who studied the three provisions of the regulation and observed Legislative Council discussions would find "no difficulty" in understanding that it has no retrospective effect.
Addressing concerns about the Chief Executive's power to issue certificates under Article 47 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the government asserted that this is a "rigorous and solemn action" grounded in well-established common law principles. The spokesperson cited a 2010 US Supreme Court judgment stating that courts must defer to executive authorities' assessments on national security, arguing that the Washington Post's criticism reflected "double standards and ignorance" of legal precedent.
The HKSAR Government also pushed back against claims that Hong Kong has become a less secure place for business, highlighting that Hong Kong has been ranked as the world's freest economy for decades, improved to third place globally in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025, and ranked as the top international financial centre for IPO fundraising in the first quarter of 2026. A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong showed that 94 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law, up from 83 per cent in 2025.
"The HKSAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws safeguarding national security," the spokesperson concluded, "to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, while upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people."
The Procedural Matters Regulation, a piece of subsidiary legislation under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, is subject to scrutiny by the Legislative Council under the negative vetting procedure. A LegCo subcommittee convened on June 11 to study the regulation and was reportedly "satisfied that it is in order in all respects."
Sources: [HKSAR Government]
