The government has expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition in response to untrue and biased remarks made by the United States and the Group of Seven "regarding the SAR's lawful act to pursue wanted persons endangering national security absconding from Hong Kong".

In a statement issued on Saturday, a government spokesman said a court has, upon application by the police, issued arrest warrants against 19 persons at large.

He said absconders hiding outside Hong Kong are wanted and subject to arrest warrants issued by the court "not because they 'exercised freedom of expression', but because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security there".

"Endangering national security is a very serious offence. Such acts and activities could bring very serious consequences," he said.

"The HKSAR government has the responsibility to pursue, in accordance with the law, persons suspected of having committed offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law or other offences endangering national security outside Hong Kong."

"It is indeed a demonstration of hypocrisy with double standards by any external forces or people with ulterior motives that, after the HKSAR government has announced the relevant measures, attack the HKSAR in safeguarding national security dutifully, faithfully and in accordance with the law," the spokesman said of the remarks made by members of the G7's Rapid Response Mechanism.

The spokesman added that absconders should not think they could evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong.

Ultimately, he said, they will be held liable for acts that constitute serious offences and endanger national security and be sanctioned by the law.