BEIJING/HONG KONG — A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of China’s State Council on Wednesday made serious protest to and strongly condemned the passing of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 by the US Senate.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson iterated China’s position on the matter in a press statement the same day. Swift condemnation followed from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, the top legislature of China, and the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said in a press statement, “I’d like to stress once again that Hong Kong is part of China, and Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs. We urge the U.S. to grasp the situation, stop its wrongdoing before it’s too late, and immediately take measures to prevent this act from becoming law. The U.S. should immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s other internal affairs, or the negative consequences will boomerang on itself. China will have to take strong countermeasures to defend our national sovereignty, security and development interests if the U.S. insists on making the wrong decisions.”
“The move grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, seriously violated international laws and the basic norms governing international relations and blatantly bolstered the opposition and radical violent criminals in Hong Kong, which once again laid bare in front of the whole world the overbearing nature of some U.S. politicians and their evil attempt to contain China’s development,” said spokesperson Yang Guang of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.
Liaison Office in HK echoes stance
In Hong Kong, the Liaison Office of the Chinese Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) echoed the stance by expressing strong indignation and condemnation and warned that China will take strong countermeasures in response to the wrong decision of the US.
“Plenty of facts have shown that the collusion between anti-China elements in the United States and the extreme radical forces in Hong Kong is the main driving force behind the prolonged violence and chaos in Hong Kong,” the office said in a statement.
In the statement, the Liaison Office urged the US side to immediately stop playing with fire, terminate follow-up procedures related to the so-called act, and refrain from going down the wrong path.
HK gov’t regrets development
A spokesperson for the government of China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) expressed regret over the passage of Hong Kong-related acts by the US Senate.
The spokesperson said the two acts, including the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, are unnecessary and unwarranted and will harm the relations and common interests between Hong Kong and the US.
Stressing that the HKSAR government will continue to implement the “one country, two systems” principle resolutely in accordance with the Basic Law, the spokesperson was quoted as saying in a press release: “Safeguarding human rights and freedoms is a constitutional duty of the HKSAR Government. Article 4 of the Basic Law stipulates that the HKSAR shall safeguard the rights and freedoms of the residents of the HKSAR and of other persons in the Region in accordance with law. Human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation, in addition to the Basic Law. Also, the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as applied to Hong Kong shall remain in force. The HKSAR Government attaches great importance to human rights and freedoms and is determined to safeguard them.
“Since early June this year, there have been over 700 public demonstrations, processions and public meetings staged in Hong Kong. Many of them have eventually turned into violent illegal activities. In response, the Police have been exercising restraint and have been carrying out enforcement actions in strict accordance with the law. The Police have the statutory duty to maintain public safety and public order. Hence, whenever unlawful assembly or violent action occurs, the Police have to take appropriate actions to protect the life and property of the general public, bring offenders to justice and restore social peace.
“Regarding trade control, Hong Kong has in place a stringent regime which has all along been recognised internationally. Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong is a separate customs territory. We will as always implement comprehensive control on import, export and re-export of strategic commodities in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong and international control lists, as well as carry out rigorous enforcement.
“Concerning constitutional development, universal suffrage of ‘one person, one vote’ for selecting the Chief Executive and electing all members of the Legislative Council is enshrined as an ultimate aim in the Basic Law. To achieve this aim, the community needs to engage in dialogues, premised on the legal basis and under a peaceful atmosphere with mutual trust, with a view to narrowing differences and attaining a consensus agreeable to all sides. The HKSAR Government will assess the situation carefully and take forward constitutional development in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant Interpretation and Decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.”