Hong Kong rejects US downgrade in human trafficking report

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has strongly refuted the US State Department's 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, which downgraded the city to Tier 3. A government spokesman described the assessment as "entirely unfounded," "baseless," and a "politically-motivated, despicable smear campaign."

The report moved Hong Kong from the Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 3, placing it alongside mainland China and Macau. The HKSAR government stated that human trafficking has never been a prevalent problem in Hong Kong and that there has been no sign of the city being used as a destination or transit point for such activities.

According to the government, in 2025, approximately 12,100 initial screenings were conducted for individuals vulnerable to trafficking risks, a 7% increase from the previous year. These efforts identified 15 trafficking victims, all of whom were Hong Kong residents who had been victims of employment fraud in Southeast Asian countries. The government highlighted its commitment to returning these residents safely, identifying them as victims, investigating cases, and prosecuting implicated individuals.

The government also defended its legal framework, stating it comprises over 50 provisions against trafficking conduct, comparable to dedicated laws in other jurisdictions. It noted that the Court of Final Appeal has affirmed the government has no positive obligation to enact a specific offense for trafficking. Law enforcement agencies reportedly secured successful trafficking convictions in 2025, with 108 anti-vice operations and 203 arrests, including employers for abuse or breaches of stay conditions.