The governments of the United States and other G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) members, along with associate countries, have issued a joint statement in response to recent actions by Hong Kong authorities. On July 25, 2025, Hong Kong Police Authorities announced arrest warrants and bounties targeting individuals outside Hong Kong’s borders, including those residing in G7 RRM countries. The targeted individuals are accused of exercising their freedom of expression.
According to the statement: “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 statement further explains that these measures build on a previous G7 Leaders’ Statement regarding transnational repression. “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.”
The group urges affected persons to report any suspicious activity or incidents related to intimidation or coercion: “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.”
Since its formation—the mechanism includes G7 members as well as Australia, New Zealand, NATO (as an associate), the Netherlands and Sweden—the RRM has focused on countering foreign interference.
The statement concludes: “Since its inception, the G7 RRM has aimed to counter foreign interference. It includes G7 members, and Australia, New Zealand, NATO , the Netherlands , and Sweden as associate members. The G7 RRM and likeminded global partners stand together in countering these ongoing malign activities.”
