China's Hong Kong rejects U.S. report for interfering in HKSAR's internal affairs

Hong Kong, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on a recent U.S. report, reiterated Friday that "foreign governments should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR."

"Since the return to the motherland, the HKSAR has been exercising 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law. The 'one country, two systems' principle has been fully and successfully implemented," a spokesman for the HKSAR government said in response to the Hong Kong Policy Act Report issued by the U.S. Department of State.

Hong Kong has always been a vibrant and open region, the spokesman said, noting that the Heritage Foundation of the United States has ranked Hong Kong as the world's freest economy for 25 consecutive years.

Hong Kong ranks first in Asia in terms of judicial independence, and is also one of the safest places in the world, the spokesman said.

The spokesman said that human rights and freedom in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation, adding that "HKSAR government attaches great importance to them and is determined to safeguard them."

Relevant international human rights conventions and court cases have clearly pointed out that freedom of speech is not absolute, said the spokesman.

The Basic Law clearly stipulates that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of China, and any suggestion for "Hong Kong's independence" is a blatant violation of the Basic Law and a direct affront to the national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, the spokesman said.

"Hong Kong's independence" runs counter to the implementation of "one country, two systems" and undermines the HKSAR's constitutional and legal foundations as enshrined in the Basic Law, said the spokesman.

On other issues mentioned in the report, including the prohibition of the operation of the Hong Kong National Party, a visa application case, the Legislative Council by-election in November 2018 and the 2019 rural ordinary election, the HKSAR government emphasized that it has always been handling Hong Kong affairs strictly in accordance with the "one country, two systems" principle, the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in HKSAR also rejected the U.S. report on Friday by saying that "we stand firmly against the United States' interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's domestic affairs by issuing the so-called report."

A spokesperson of the office said since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people administrating Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy have been faithfully implemented, adding that Hong Kong residents enjoy extensive rights and freedom never seen before, which is a universally-recognized fact.

"In the so-called report, the U.S. side made unwarranted comments on Chinese central government's policies towards Hong Kong under the pretext of human rights and freedom. It also made groundless accusations against the legitimate and lawful measures taken by the HKSAR government to fight against forces for 'Hong Kong independence,' safeguard national sovereignty and security and uphold the rule of law in Hong Kong," the spokesperson said.

"The United States is distorting the facts and causing confusion. We urge the U.S. side to stop viewing one country, two systems' in a selective manner through colored glasses, refrain from commenting irresponsibly on Hong Kong affairs and put an end to its interference in China's domestic affairs," the spokesperson said.