The United States and the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism members (including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union) and associated members issued a statement condemning Hong Kong's arrest of 19 fugitives who had fled abroad. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly opposed this and pointed out that these measures are aimed at safeguarding national security and are not targeting the legitimate rights of Hong Kong residents. A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Government stated that any foreign or external forces attempting to defame the situation in Hong Kong will only be left speechless and will surely fail. The Office of the Chief Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong also strongly condemned the G7 statement, considering it an intervention in Hong Kong affairs and emphasizing that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal matters and should not be interfered with by any external forces.