HONG KONG, Sept. 7 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Saturday rejected misleading and untruthful remarks on Hong Kong's legal system and business environment in a so-called "updated business advisory" jointly issued by several departments of the government of the United States, which attempted to create panic.

The successful implementation of laws relevant to safeguarding national security in the HKSAR has brought about a stable and safe environment conducive to business and investment, said a spokesperson for the HKSAR government.

Hong Kong ranks the fifth in global competitiveness this year, and its foreign direct investment inflow was the fourth largest in the world last year. These facts are evidence that high-level security guarantees high-quality development, and can never be challenged by some so-called "business advisory" issued by governments of some countries, said the spokesperson.

Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed by both the Constitution and the Basic Law, the spokesperson noted. The national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security.

Business communities worldwide have been enthusiastic about doing business in the city, as demonstrated by continuous significant direct investments made in Hong Kong after the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, according to the spokesperson. Invest Hong Kong has completed 358 projects in the first seven months of 2024, representing an increase of 40 percent as compared with that in the same period last year.

The spokesperson urged the U.S. government to stop making false and groundless accusations about Hong Kong. The city continues to welcome the establishment of offices or regional headquarters of overseas companies, including American companies, the spokesperson said.

  - Xinhua