This photo taken from the official website of the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom shows the building of the embassy in London.

HONG KONG - The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom expressed grave concern and strong opposition to the so-called “joint statement” by the foreign ministers of the UK, the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

In a statement released on Tuesday, an embassy spokesperson said the "joint statement" contained “irresponsible remarks” about the National Security Law and the Legislative Council (LegCo) election and constituted “yet another blatant interference in Hong Kong affairs, which are internal affairs of China.”

“China, once again, urges the UK and the other countries to adhere to the principle of non-interference, which is a basic principle of international law and a basic norm governing international relations, immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are China’s internal affairs, in any form, and stop going down the wrong path,” the spokesperson said. “Otherwise, they will have to bear all the consequences.”

ALSO READ: Hypocrisy in 5 foreign ministers' joint statement deplored

The so-called "joint statement" had claimed that the National Security Law, the LegCo election postponement, and the disqualification of LegCo nominees eroded “the Hong Kong people’s fundamental rights and liberties” and “undermined the democratic process” of Hong Kong.

The spokesperson strongly disagreed and said the National Security Law facilitates the implementation of “one country, two systems”, safeguards the security of Hong Kong, and protects the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people. 

The spokesperson said the National Security Law facilitates the implementation of “one country, two systems”, safeguards the security of Hong Kong, and protects the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people 

“It has won extensive support from the Hong Kong people and the international community,” the spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government’s decision to postpone the LegCo elections amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic was a justified measure to safeguard the safety and health of the Hong Kong people.

ALSO READ: Foreign entities urged not to meddle in HKSAR poll process

It was a necessary step to ensure the elections are safe, fair and just, the spokesperson said, adding that many countries had also postponed elections due to the pandemic, including the UK, which announced in March the postponement of local elections that were due to take place in May.

“Now the UK is making unwarranted accusations against the Hong Kong SAR government’s decision to postpone the Legislative Council elections. This is typical hypocrisy and ‘double standards’,” the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson also said that decision of the Returning Officers to invalidate certain nominations for the 2020 LegCo elections had “sufficient legal basis and is beyond reproach.”

“It is in nature no different from the rule here in the UK which says that any member of parliament who refuses to pledge allegiance to the Queen will be unable to take part in parliamentary proceedings,” the spokesperson said.

ALSO READ: HK CE says LegCo poll delay a hard choice, slams divisiveness

“With regard to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, I want to emphasize that the core content of this document is China’s resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong. All the provisions of the document that are related to the UK side were fulfilled at the time of the handover. China would never allow any interference in its internal affairs by any foreign country under the excuse of the Joint Declaration,” the spokesperson added. 

READ MORE: Disqualifying advocates of separatism from election is in line with international norms