This undated photo shows the Central Government Offices in Tamar, Hong Kong. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT) 

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s government has strongly condemned a so-called notice issued by the US authorities providing details on a “deferred enforced departure” program that will allow some Hong Kong people to work in the country.

In a statement issued on Friday evening, a spokesman for the HKSAR government said the notice equates to the US offering so-called “safe haven” to wanted fugitives who have escaped from Hong Kong and are attempting to evade justice by hiding in foreign countries, including the US.

READ MORE: HKSAR govt, commissioner's office slam US' 'safe haven' offer

"Governments that not only harbor but invite or encourage fugitive offenders to live in their country wantonly disregard the rule of law and expose their hypocrisy for all to see,” the spokesman said.

Countries taking such actions should take full responsibility for unnecessarily stoking tensions between “the relevant countries and our motherland”, the spokesman added.

"We urge the US to stop their blatant interference in Hong Kong matters which are the internal affairs of the People’s Republic of China."