On November 28, 2024, the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong condemned a recent U.S. travel advisory, labeling it as 'slander' in light of the ongoing tensions surrounding the National Security Law (NSL). The advisory urged travelers to exercise increased caution due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, particularly following the sentencing of 45 activists, including prominent figure Benny Tai Yiu-ting, who received a 10-year prison sentence for subversion [12e9a6b8].
The U.S. had downgraded mainland China from a travel advisory level 3 to level 2, while maintaining Hong Kong at level 2. This move was perceived by Beijing as politically motivated, especially given the context of the recent high-profile trials and the international criticism surrounding them [12e9a6b8].
In response to the U.S. advisory, the Hong Kong government condemned it as misleading and politically charged, asserting that the city welcomed approximately 21 million visitors in the first half of 2024, reflecting a 64% year-on-year increase. Officials emphasized that Hong Kong remains a safe and competitive global business hub despite the ongoing scrutiny from Western nations [12e9a6b8].
This criticism follows the U.S. State Department's announcement of visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials linked to the enforcement of the NSL, which has faced significant international scrutiny. Other Western countries, including Britain, Canada, Australia, and the European Union, have echoed concerns about the political motivations behind the recent trials, further complicating the diplomatic landscape [5bf815ed].
As Beijing continues to defend its actions, it has characterized the West's reactions as 'hypocritical double standards,' particularly highlighting U.S. national security laws as examples of similar enforcement practices that go unchallenged [2ab0a495]. The international community remains vigilant, monitoring the implications of these developments for human rights and political freedoms in Hong Kong [5bf815ed][34f1e064].