This file photo taken on Nov 17, 2016 shows the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Central. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firmly opposed the US side for attacking and smearing the HKSAR Basic Law Article 23 legislation.

US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, relevant bodies and individual members of the US Congress attacked and discredited the HKSAR's legislation on Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law, a spokesman for the office said on Friday.

The spokesman said the United States has slandered Hong Kong's human rights and the rule of law, advocated the passage of Hong Kong-related sanctions bills, and grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs, urging the US side to immediately stop its clumsy political farce.

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The spokesman stressed that safeguarding national security is a common practice for all countries, and Western countries have established sound legal systems and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard their own national security.

Neither external intervention or blackmail could weaken the HKSAR's determination to firmly uphold "one country, two systems" and safeguard national security, said the spokesman

When carrying out the legislation work of Article 23, the HKSAR drew on the legislative experience of other countries, especially common law countries, and fully absorbed existing legal provisions familiar to Hong Kong society. 

It also struck a good balance between development and security, as well as maintenance of national security and protection of rights and freedoms, demonstrating the core value of Hong Kong's society under the rule of law, the spokesman added.

The spokesman pointed out that the US has turned a deaf ear to the objective facts that its own security law is strict and its punishment is harsh, while pointing fingers at and making irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong's implementation of its national security legislation and constitutional responsibility.

Some US congressmen and politicians have chosen to disregard the US violation of human rights and restriction on freedom of speech, but spared no effort to denigrate others by labeling them as "undermining the rule of law" and "engaging in transnational repression," which fully exposed their hypocritical double standards, hegemonic mentality and robber logic, the spokesperson said.

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The spokesman reiterated that neither external intervention or blackmail could weaken the HKSAR's determination to firmly uphold "one country, two systems" and safeguard national security, nor can it undermine the foundation of the rule of law in Hong Kong or diminish the international community's confidence in it.

The office urged the US to abide by the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations, earnestly respect the spirit of the rule of law, and immediately stop political manipulation and interference in Hong Kong affairs.