HONG KONG, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday vehemently objected to the groundless remarks about the so-called Hong Kong in the Trafficking in Persons Report 2025 of the U.S. Department of State.

A spokesperson for the HKSAR government said that the HKSAR government vehemently opposed and resolutely refuted the categorically false and baseless remarks in the so-called report on Hong Kong's efforts to tackle trafficking in persons (TIP).

"TIP has never been a prevalent problem in Hong Kong, and there has never been any sign that Hong Kong is being actively used by syndicates as a destination or transit point for TIP. The rating of Hong Kong at Tier 2 (Watch List) is utterly unfair, without basis in fact, and a blatant attempt to smear Hong Kong's reputation," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson stressed that the HKSAR government has all along adopted a proactive, multi-pronged strategy in the fight against TIP. Substantial resources have been injected into combating TIP and enhancing protection for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) in Hong Kong.

In 2024, the HKSAR government continued to spare no effort in conducting initial screenings for all persons vulnerable to TIP risks who had come to the attention of the departments concerned, the spokesperson said, adding that it was totally baseless for the so-called report to cast doubt on Hong Kong's determination in combating TIP.

The HKSAR government recognized the significant contribution of FDHs to Hong Kong society, and attached great importance to protecting the interests of some 375,000 FDHs in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said. The Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) provides comprehensive protection for the employment rights and benefits of FDHs, which are on par with those afforded to local workers.

On the unsubstantiated remarks in the so-called report about the lack of composite trafficking legislation in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said that the HKSAR government's current legislative framework, which comprises over 50 legal provisions against various TIP conducts, provides a comprehensive package of safeguards comparable to composite TIP laws found in other jurisdictions.

"In fact, our legal framework has served Hong Kong well. There is no indication to suggest that the effectiveness of our anti-TIP efforts has in any way been undermined without composite trafficking legislation," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the legal framework in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR is fully in compliance with the international standard for the protection of human rights. "Legislation that safeguards national security only targets a very small number of organizations and individuals that endanger national security."