The World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2026, released on Wednesday, offers a timely, evidence-based response to one of the most persistent claims about Hong Kong in recent years. For some time, some Western politicians, media outlets, and advocacy groups have claimed that Hong Kong’s rule of law and human rights situation are deteriorating. Yet the latest findings from one of the world’s most respected international legal assessments point in a markedly different direction.
Hong Kong ranks 24th among 143 jurisdictions globally and remains sixth in East Asia and the Pacific in the latest index. Most notably, the city has risen to seventh place worldwide in “order and security” while continuing to rank among the leading jurisdictions for “absence of corruption”. These results in no way suggest a declining legal system, but one that continues to demonstrate stability, effectiveness, and institutional resilience.
These findings matter because of the index’s credibility. Produced annually by the WJP, an independent nonprofit organization established in 2006 and based in the United States, the index is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of the rule of law. Drawing upon extensive household surveys and expert evaluations across 143 jurisdictions, it measures practical legal performance through eight factors: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.
The rule of law constitutes a fundamental component of modern economic development. Investors commit capital where contracts are enforceable, businesses expand where regulations are predictable, and individuals pursue opportunities where rights and obligations are protected by reliable institutions. As a result, the index has become an important reference point for governments, international organizations, multinational corporations, and global investors when evaluating legal and commercial environments.
Against this backdrop, Hong Kong’s rise to seventh place globally in “order and security” stands out as the most significant development in this year’s results. The improvement reflects restored stability and public confidence following the implementation of the Hong Kong SAR National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and related legislative measures. These laws were introduced to safeguard national sovereignty and security while preserving the conditions necessary for economic development and social stability. The latest rankings indicate that they achieved that objective.
The significance of “order and security” should not be underestimated. Security is not separate from the rule of law; it is one of its essential foundations. Rights cannot be effectively exercised amid persistent instability, nor can commercial activity flourish without social order. Courts, businesses, investors, and ordinary people all depend on a predictable environment. Hong Kong’s improved standing therefore reflects more than a statistical achievement. It demonstrates the successful restoration of conditions necessary for both prosperity and effective governance.
Equally important is Hong Kong’s continued strength in “absence of corruption”. For decades, clean governance has been one of the city’s defining institutional advantages. Effective anticorruption enforcement has helped maintain public trust, strengthen administrative efficiency, and create a business environment characterized by transparency and fairness. At a time when corruption remains a serious challenge in many parts of the world, Hong Kong continues to distinguish itself as one of the cleanest and most trusted jurisdictions internationally.
The broader results reveal a similarly encouraging pattern. Rankings in “constraints on government powers” and “civil justice” remained unchanged from the previous year, while scores in “open government” and “regulatory enforcement” remained broadly stable. Although “fundamental rights” and “criminal justice” declined by two spots respectively, these adjustments were limited in scale. They should be viewed in the context of the index’s overall consistency. Overall, Hong Kong’s results point to continuity and resilience.
The latest index places Hong Kong ahead of many advanced economies on key indicators, including “order and security”, where the city now ranks seventh globally. Such comparisons do not suggest that Hong Kong’s legal system is perfect. No legal system in the world is perfect. However, they do rebut the unfounded criticism leveled by Western entities.
The gap between Western rhetoric and measurable performance has become increasingly apparent. International rankings continue to show that Hong Kong maintains strong institutions, low corruption, effective and fair legal processes, and a secure social environment. The actual data present a more credible picture than many Western narratives in recent years.
Hong Kong’s continued strong performance in the index shows that the “one country, two systems” constitutional arrangement remains effective in preserving the special administrative region’s distinctive legal characteristics and international competitiveness. Under this framework, Hong Kong retains its common law system, independent Judiciary, transparent court procedures, judicial remedies, and a well-established legal aid system. Courts continue to exercise judicial power independently and adjudicate cases according to law.
These institutional strengths are further reinforced by Hong Kong’s unique international position. As the world’s only Chinese- and English-bilingual common law jurisdiction, the city serves as a bridge between different legal traditions, economic systems, and commercial communities. Its internationally recognized dispute resolution services and sophisticated legal infrastructure make it a preferred venue for resolving cross-border disputes and facilitating international business.
The WJP Rule of Law Index 2026 confirms the city has strong foundations for continued development. The city’s success rests not on Western political rhetoric but on measurable institutional performance. The facts are increasingly clear, and as more international observers examine the evidence, the story of Hong Kong’s rule of law will require less explanation and command greater confidence.
The author is a solicitor, a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area lawyer, and a China-appointed attesting officer.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
