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Tuesday, June 02, 2020, 09:47
Liaison Office opposes US interference in HK affairs
By Xinhua
Tuesday, June 02, 2020, 09:47 By Xinhua

HONG KONG - A spokesperson for the central government's Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday voiced resolute opposition to the US interference in Hong Kong affairs and urged the US side to correct the wrongdoing.

The spokesperson made the remarks after US President Donald Trump's finger-pointing at China's national security legislation for the HKSAR and his threats to revoke the preferential trade treatment for Hong Kong

The spokesperson made the remarks in response to US President Donald Trump's finger-pointing at China's national security legislation for the HKSAR and his threats to revoke the preferential trade treatment for Hong Kong.

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The US side's hegemonic act on Hong Kong will not benefit the United States itself, nor will it stop the prevailing trend for Hong Kong to embrace greater development, the spokesperson said.

Noting that safeguarding national security is a reasonable measure by all sovereign states in the world, the spokesperson said national security legislation for the HKSAR is purely China's internal affairs and brooks no foreign interference.

Stressing Hong Kong's important role in the international economic landscape as a global financial, trading and shipping center, the spokesperson said Hong Kong's status as a separate customs territory is recognized by the World Trade Organization.

The status is not given by any specific country, nor will it be changed by the unilateral action of any one country, said the spokesperson.

The threat of so-called sanctions over national security legislation for the HKSAR has demonstrated that the United States was never concerned about democracy and freedom in Hong Kong, nor its stability and prosperity. Instead, the United States just sees Hong Kong as a pawn to contain China's development, which has proved the urgency and imperative for the legislation to oppose external interference, the spokesperson added.

Hong Kong's achievements were made by generations of hard-working Hong Kong residents with the strong support of the motherland, not given by any foreign country, said the spokesperson, adding that the motherland will always be a powerful backing force for Hong Kong.

With joint efforts from all walks of life, Hong Kong will surely overcome difficulties to embrace better development, the spokesperson added.

COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE SLAMS US

The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Monday slammed the United States for smearing "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, and stressed that the US threat or sanction will not intimidate the Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots.

The US side has smeared "one country, two systems" and the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong in disregard of facts, a spokesperson of the commissioner's office pointed out.

Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the Chinese government has stayed committed to principles of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy, and acted strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, he said.

Accordingly, Hong Kong residents are enjoying unprecedented rights and freedoms, and the practice of "one country, two systems" is a widely recognized success, the spokesperson added.

READ MORE: Commissioner's Office condemns Chris Patten's speech

He said the national security legislation for Hong Kong is just and legitimate, and falls within China's internal affairs and exercise of sovereignty while adding that it is meant to plug the loopholes in national security legislation in the HKSAR, better implement "one country, two systems", and maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability in the long run.

The US obstruction of the legislation is an interference in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, and a violation of principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations, the spokesperson pointed out.

“Chinese people, Hong Kong compatriots included, are firmly against it, and the rest of the international community will see more clearly the double standards and ulterior motives behind the US attempt," the spokesperson added.

The United States is not in a position to represent Hong Kong residents, the spokesperson said, adding that national security legislation for Hong Kong has gained support among the majority of Hong Kong residents, who have agreed on the legitimacy, necessity and urgency of the legislation.

The fact that the relevant decision was passed by an overwhelming majority at the third session of the 13th National People's Congress "speaks volumes about the common will of the 1.4 billion Chinese people, including our Hong Kong compatriots, to safeguard national sovereignty and security, maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and ensure enduring success of 'one country, two systems'," the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson emphasized that Hong Kong is part of China and the Chinese government is rock-firm in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, in implementing the "one country, two systems" principle, and in opposing any external interference in Hong Kong affairs.

"Any threat or sanction from the United States will not intimidate the Chinese people, including our Hong Kong compatriots. Nor will it hold back China's national rejuvenation," the spokesperson said.


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