Hong Kong government responds to World Justice Project 2026 Rule of Law Index
The Hong Kong government has responded to the World Justice Project's 2026 Rule of Law Index, noting that the city ranks among the global top 10 in 'absence of corruption' and 'order and security'. The government attributes improved security rankings to national security laws and highlights its lega
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has responded to the World Justice Project's 2026 Rule of Law Index, highlighting the city's continued global top-10 rankings in the 'absence of corruption' and 'order and security' categories. The government noted that its ranking in 'order and security' rose to seventh globally, attributing this to the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the National Security Ordinance, and other relevant national security legislation. It said these laws have enhanced safety and created a favourable environment for business and investment. The government described Hong Kong as one of the world's safest cities and one of the most corruption-free regions, with effective anti-corruption and crime prevention efforts that bolster stability.
The government reported that rankings in the 'constraints on government powers' and 'civil justice' categories remained unchanged from the previous year, while 'open government' and 'regulatory enforcement' rankings were nearly unchanged. Slight declines were recorded in the 'fundamental rights' and 'criminal justice' categories. The government asserted that under the 'one country, two systems' principle and the Basic Law, Hong Kong maintains a robust legal framework for human rights protection and an open judicial system. It said civil and criminal legal frameworks align with international standards and are updated regularly, ensuring the protection of parties' rights, and that the judiciary exercises independent adjudicative power free from interference.
The government stressed that under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance, parties can file lawsuits and seek judicial remedies, supported by a solid legal aid system. It said it will continue to safeguard legally protected rights and freedoms and enhance outreach efforts to present Hong Kong's rule-of-law story to the international community. The government described the rule of law as a cornerstone of Hong Kong's high-quality development under 'one country, two systems' and a core advantage for the city's role as an international legal hub. It pledged to leverage Hong Kong's unique status as the world's only bilingual common law jurisdiction with English and Chinese, using dispute-resolution rules and mechanisms aligned with international standards to uphold a fair international rule-of-law order. The government said it will comprehensively maintain the rule of law in the HKSAR, safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests within the legal framework, and continue to promote legal education and cultivate talent in foreign-related legal fields.