The government on Wednesday expressed its strong opposition to a US Congressional report that said Hong Kong has changed "from an open city to a city of fear".

The report by the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China cited interviews it conducted and accused Hong Kong authorities of "smothering" civil society organisations by arresting leaders of these groups under the national security law, and using a decades-old sedition law to bring charges against dissenting voices.

In a statement, the Hong Kong government said any law enforcement actions here are "based on evidence, strictly according to the law."

It added that the national security law does not seek to suppress normal interactions with other countries or international organisations, but that the authorities may disband certain groups in accordance with the law to "minimising the risks of endangering national security that an organisation may bring about."

The government also pointed out that the freedom of association is not absolute and it would be contrary to the rule of law to suggest that people of certain sectors or background could be above the law.