By Dr. Kevin Lau
The latest "Six-Monthly Report on Hong Kong" issued by the United Kingdom on October 23, 2025, is yet another example of such manipulation — it maligns the tried-and-tested framework of "One Country, Two Systems" and unfairly vilifies the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL), flagrant interference in China's internal affairs that no sovereign nation would tolerate.
The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has rightly expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this politically motivated report, condemning the UK government's continued imposition of colonial-era mindsets and ideological bias. This so-called "report" is a tool of political hegemony, not a genuine concern for human rights or democracy.
Since HKSAR's establishment in 1997, the UK has persistently released 57 such "six-monthly reports," wrongfully claiming authority to "monitor" the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration—a claim with no foundation in law or sovereignty. The Joint Declaration grants no oversight role to the UK post-handover. The continuation of these reports reveals London's refusal to confront historical realities and its lingering colonial arrogance.
The 2025 midyear report falsely accuses the NSL of suppressing freedoms and undermining judicial independence. The truth is that since its implementation in 2020, the NSL has restored social order, safeguarded national sovereignty, and revitalized Hong Kong's economic vitality. Tangible data confirms the reality: crime rates have fallen by 15 percent; foreign investment inflows have risen by 20 percent; and the Hang Seng Index advanced by 10 percent in the first half of 2024.
Ironically, while the UK self-righteously lectures others on human rights, it struggles with glaring domestic issues: its own 2024 human rights report admits to prison overcrowding exceeding 110 percent and police misconduct complaints rising by 30 percent. What credibility does such a nation have to admonish Hong Kong?
The report's fabricated claims of political erosion and "judicial politicization" in Hong Kong are unfounded. For example, in the first half of 2025, the Court of Final Appeal independently handled over 1,000 cases free from any political interference. International rule of law indices for 2024 rank Hong Kong among the world's top 20 jurisdictions—surpassing the UK itself.
Economically, Hong Kong continues to thrive under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework, backed firmly by the Central Government. In 2024, Hong Kong's GDP grew approximately 3.5 percent, with unemployment falling to 3 percent, outperforming the UK's 4.5 percent unemployment rate. London's refusal to acknowledge Hong Kong's success is symptomatic of a colonial mindset unwilling to accept a resurgent China and a prosperous Hong Kong under national sovereignty.
The UK report is a politically motivated instrument that weaponizes misinformation under the pretext of "universal values." Its true objective is to sow discord, undermine public confidence, and obstruct Hong Kong's transformation from a period of chaos to one of flourishing governance and prosperity. Hong Kong must unequivocally counter this narrative by asserting the facts on international platforms, including the United Nations, to present clear evidence of Hong Kong's stability, safeguarding of freedoms, and adherence to the rule of law. Simultaneously, Hong Kong should deepen integration within the national development framework by fully embracing the guidance of the 15th Five-Year Plan, thereby enhancing its unique role as a super connector and catalyst for innovation and high-quality growth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Moreover, strengthening national security education and civic awareness is essential to cultivating a patriotic younger generation who fully appreciate the historical and constitutional foundations of "One Country, Two Systems," ensuring Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.
In conclusion, the UK's report is political hypocrisy masquerading as moral concern. It cannot erase the success of "One Country, Two Systems" nor halt Hong Kong's steady progress. The people of Hong Kong have endured turbulence and emerged stronger—understanding that stability is the bedrock of prosperity, unity a source of strength, and truth inevitably prevails over propaganda. With unwavering support from the Central Government and the resolute spirit of its people, Hong Kong is set to continue shining as a model of stability, rule of law, and opportunity under "One Country, Two Systems."
The author is Founding Convenor of the Hong Kong Global Youth Professional Advocacy Action, a specialist in radiology, Master of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong, and an adviser of the Our Hong Kong Foundation.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
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