The governments of the United States, along with other members of the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM)—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union—have issued a joint statement regarding recent actions by Hong Kong authorities. The statement also includes G7 RRM associate members: Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden.
According to the joint statement released on August 8, 2025, these countries condemned the July 25 decision by Hong Kong Police Authorities to issue arrest warrants and bounties for individuals outside of Hong Kong’s borders. The targeted individuals are accused of exercising their freedom of expression. The statement asserts that this practice constitutes transnational repression and undermines national security, state sovereignty, human rights, and community safety.
“The G7 RRM notes recent statements made by the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand condemning the July 25, 2025 decision by the Hong Kong Police Authorities. The authorities issued arrest warrants and bounties on individuals outside Hong Kong’s borders, including in G7 RRM countries, for exercising their freedom of expression. This form of transnational repression undermines national security, state sovereignty, human rights, and the safety of communities.”
The joint statement further emphasized a collective commitment to address such issues. “Building on the recent G7 Leaders’ Statement on Transnational Repression, G7 RRM members and associate members are committed to strengthening our efforts to safeguard our sovereignty, to keep our communities safe, and to defend individuals from the overreach of governments trying to silence, intimidate, harass, harm or coerce them within our borders.”
Authorities encouraged people who encounter suspicious activities or incidents involving intimidation or threats to report them to law enforcement under domestic laws.
“We encourage individuals to report suspicious activities and any incidents of intimidation, harassment, coercion or threats to their law enforcement authorities in accordance with domestic laws and regulations.”
The G7 RRM was established as a collaborative effort among member states—including Australia and New Zealand as associate members—to counter foreign interference. NATO is also listed among its partners. The group aims to work with global partners in addressing malign activities.
“Since its inception, the G7 RRM has aimed to counter foreign interference. It includes G7 members and Australia, New Zealand NATO [sic], the Netherlands and Sweden as associate members. The G7 RRM and likeminded global partners stand together in countering these ongoing malign activities.”