HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Saturday strongly condemned slanders and smears against the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance made by the United States and Canada in the pretext of updating travel advisory regarding Hong Kong.

A spokesman for the HKSAR government said that the relevant provisions on offenses against national security stipulated in the ordinance precisely target acts that harm national security.

Actions to enforce the law are based on evidence and are in strict accordance with the law.

The HKSAR government firmly opposes any attempt to use intimidation to achieve their political agenda and disrupt legitimate people-to-people exchanges and activities in the business sector, according to the spokesman.

The HKSAR government has always welcomed visitors with legitimate purposes including travel or business.

They will not engage in acts or activities that threaten national security and will not be penalized by mistake, the spokesman said.

The HKSAR government urged relevant countries to stop resorting to political tricks like updating travel advisory regarding Hong Kong to stand in Hong Kong's way of safeguarding national security, the spokesman said.