The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Saturday hit out at what it termed “untrue and biased” criticism by UK ministers of the city’s lawful move to pursue absconding wanted persons endangering national security.

In a statement, the SAR government strongly disapproved of and opposed the remarks made by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper after police in Hong Kong had issued wanted notices and bounties for up to HK$1 million ($127,414) on 19 individuals.

The Hong Kong Police Force has accused the 19 of allegedly organizing, establishing, or participating in an overseas subversive group called “The Hong Kong Parliament”, suspected of violating the Hong Kong SAR National Security Law (NSL).

Endangering national security is a very serious offense, a spokesman for the HKSAR government said on Saturday, adding that no country will watch with folded arms on acts and activities that endanger national security.

READ MORE: HK police issue warrants, bounties for 19 subversive group members

“The 'Hong Kong Parliament' aims to subvert state power; its objectives include promoting 'self-determination', promulgating the so-called 'Hong Kong Constitution', and overthrowing or undermining the basic system of the People's Republic of China established by the Constitution of the People's Republic of China or overthrowing the body of the central power of People’s Republic of China or the body of power of the HKSAR with unlawful means, thereby suspected of having committed the offence of 'Subversion' contrary to Article 22 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL).”

Police, for the aforementioned reasons, applied to the court for arrest warrants in accordance with the law and put the persons on wanted list, added the spokesman.

Pointing out that extraterritorial effect for the offences under the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance fully aligns with the principles of international law and common practice adopted in various countries and regions, the spokesman said: “It is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world.”

Those absconders hiding in the UK and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security and collude with external forces to cover for their evil deeds, the government said.

ALSO READ: HK scraps 7 fugitives’ passports, puts 6 others on wanted list

It is necessary for the police to take all lawful measures to strongly combat the acts of abscondment, it stressed, terming such actions as fully justified, necessary, and legitimate.

“With at least 14 pieces of laws in the UK safeguarding national security, the UK has displayed hypocrisy and exposed its double standards by pointing fingers at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security, while entirely disregarding the constitutional duty and practical needs of the HKSAR to legislate, and the positive effects brought by the enactment of the relevant national security legislation on economic development and protection of human rights.”

Any individuals who endanger national security should not believe that being outside Hong Kong will allow them to evade criminal responsibility and remain beyond the reach of justice, the spokesman said.

“The HKSAR government will exhaust all means to pursue and combat criminals absconding from Hong Kong and endangering national security, ensuring that violations of the law will be pursued regardless of the distance,” the spokesman said, adding that the HKSAR government urged the wanted persons to return to the city and surrender “to rectify their mistakes”.

Regarding the fugitive offenders’ surrender, the HKSAR government, in line with the central government’s instruction, has suspended an agreement between the HKSAR and UK governments regarding the surrender of fugitive offenders in July 2020, and the position remains unchanged, the spokesman said.

READ MORE: Fugitives will be pursued for life, says HK leader

Emphasizing that the SAR government will continue to resolutely discharge its duty to safeguard national security while upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, the spokesman said: “The HKSAR government strongly demands the UK government to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs.”

Individuals facing bounties

The 19 wanted individuals include nine accused of forming the alleged subversive group: Elmer Yuen Gong-yi, Victor Ho Leung-mau, Johnny Fok Ka-chi, Choi Ming-da, Chan Lai-chun, Feng Chongyi, Sasha Gong, Ng Man-yan, and Tsang Wai-fan, with a view to achieving “self-determination” and subverting State power.

The remaining 10 — Chin Po-fun, Ha Hoi-chun, Hau Chung-yu, Ho Wing-yau, Keung Ka-wai, Tony Lam, Agnes Ng, Wong Chun-wah, Wong Sau-wo, and Zhang Xinyan — are alleged to have participated in the group’s elections and taken oaths as members.

Bounties totaling HK$1 million each have been placed on Yuen, Ho, Fok, and Choi, while the other 15 face rewards of HK$200,000 for information leading to their arrest.