The government on Friday expressed strong dissatisfaction and rejected criticism from the United States and other Western countries over Hong Kong's decision to revoke the passports of six people accused of national security crimes.

A spokesman said in a statement that people who threaten national security often flee to other countries and continue to pose a threat to national security in various ways.

"People who endanger national security often abscond overseas to avoid criminal liability and continue to endanger national security through various means, such as colluding with forces outside Hong Kong to put pressure on the central government and the Hong Kong government, or setting up organisations to endanger national security outside Hong Kong," he said.

"The measures taken against the fugitives are aimed at combating, deterring and preventing such conduct and facilitating their return to Hong Kong to face law enforcement and judicial proceedings."

The spokesman said that the United States and other Western countries have made false and irresponsible statements to confuse the public.