HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s government vehemently criticized the so-called "sanctions" by the United States government against 11 officials of the Central People's Government and the HKSAR government as shameless and despicable.

“Imposed under the so-called Office of Foreign Assets Control's Specially Designated Nationals List of the US Department of the Treasury, the latest US government measure represents blatant and barbaric interference in the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China (PRC), using Hong Kong as a pawn in its ploy to create troubles in China-US relationship, out of self-serving interests of some US politicians,” a government spokesman said in a press release issued on Saturday.

The US acts are displaying double standards and hypocrisy, let alone blatantly breaching international laws and basic norms governing international relations, the spokesman said.

Such a deplorable move (of deliberately making public the personal information of HKSAR government officials being targeted) is no less than state-sanctioned doxxing that is a serious breach of privacy and personal safety. We reserve the right to take any necessary legal action. 

Spokesman, HKSAR government 

The spokesman said the HKSAR government regrets the US government’s latest move against senior Hong Kong officials, saying that the move was an “utterly disrespectful attempt which will undermine Hong Kong-US relations at various levels.”

READ MORE: US to suffer more from sanctions on HK

The US government's claim that the imposition of the so-called “sanctions” was in response to the enactment of the National Security Law in Hong Kong is a lame excuse that could hardly stand up to challenge, the spokesman said.

"National security is a matter of utmost importance to any state, including the US. Laws governing national security are matters for the central government, regardless of whether it is a unitary or federal system of government,” the spokesman said. 

The spokesman added that the escalating violence, anarchy and social chaos in Hong Kong since last June obviously required police to fulfill their statutory duty to take lawful measures to maintain public order and public safety. This is no different to the solemn duty and responsibility of any police force in the world to protect life and property. 

The spokesman also severely condemned the US government for deliberately making public the personal information of government officials.

"Such a deplorable move is no less than state-sanctioned doxxing that is a serious breach of privacy and personal safety. We reserve the right to take any necessary legal action," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the HKSAR government will fully support the central government to adopt counter-measures.

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"Speaking on behalf of her senior colleagues who are being targeted, the Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that we are discharging an honorable duty to safeguard national security, protecting the life and interests of not only the 7.5 million Hong Kong people but also the 1.4 billion mainlanders. We will not be intimidated," the spokesman said.

Lam said in a Facebook post that the US might have constituted a violation of human rights by passing her personal information from the immigration authorities to the Treasury.

"In disclosing my personal details, the US government has made the mistake by listing my address at Victoria House, which is the residence of the Chief Secretary. I believe that the official responsible has forgotten to update the information which I submitted to the US immigration authorities in 2016 when I applied for a visa to the US as Chief Secretary.

"If my assumption is correct, personal information in visa applications have been passed to the Treasury for purposes other than immigration. That could constitute a violation of human rights," Lam said.

'Double standard and hypocrisy'

Secretary-general of Hong Kong's national security law committee Eric Chan Kwok-ki said these so-called sanctions will only make Hong Kong people, particularly those who still have false hopes, clearly understand how unreasonable and peremptory the US government can be.

 “My family and I are not afraid. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity and I’ll do my best for the interests of the nation and Hong Kong,” said Chan. 

“In the past year, we have seen how the US has used all means to inhibit the development of our country. In the future, I will continue to resolutely defend the security of Hong Kong to ensure stability and prosperity and the preservation of ‘one country, two systems',” he said.

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said the sanctions by the US smacks the double standard and hypocrisy

In a reply to a China Daily query, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said the sanctions by the US smacks the double standard and hypocrisy.

"The United States has a host of national security laws. And yet it is using the National Security Law for Hong Kong as an excuse to make trouble," Lee said.

"Defending national security is a sacred task. Using it to as an excuse for sanctions is not going to work,” he added.

Commissioner of Police Chris Tang Ping-keung said defending national security and the security of Hong Kong is his responsibility and honor. 

"Foreign country’s sanctions mean absolutely nothing to me. I will continue to focus on doing better in protecting the security of the nation and Hong Kong,” Tang said. 

The US imposition of sanctions on Hong Kong fooled no one but themselves, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the HKSAR government Erick Tsang Kwok-wai said.

“For me, the sanctions have neither an effect, nor any meaning. If you want to sanction me, find something that is more effective. The US talks about human rights all the time and yet it has acted like scoundrels by overtly abusing other people’s privacy,” he told China Daily.

Meanwhile, the city's commerce chief Edward Yau Tang-wah said US’ latest so-called sanctions on Hong Kong were “unreasonable and barbarous”, and in the long run will inflict the wound towards US’ interest in Hong Kong.

“I do not find any valid reason for this blatant interference of Hong Kong affairs by a foreign country. I do not think this is necessary or in a civilized manner to do so,” said Yau, the city’s secretary for commerce and economic development, after attending a radio program on Saturday morning.

In a statement, Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission said it is monitoring closely the impact that the sanctions may have on the operation of intermediaries, the interests of investors and financial stability and orderliness of the markets in Hong Kong.

"In considering the implications of the sanctions, intermediaries are expected to carefully assess any legal, business and commercial risks that they may be exposed to. We would expect any response to the sanctions to be necessary, fair, and have regard to the best interests of their clients and the integrity of the market."