Interference in China's internal affairs will trigger countermeasures

Editor's note: The following article is taken from the Chinese-language "Commentaries on International Affairs." The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act passed by the US Senate on Tuesday requires Washington to review Hong Kong's autonomy annually to justify the special trading status the city receives under United States law. This legislation is an attempt by Washington to wantonly interfere in China's domestic affairs, and is a serious violation of international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

According to the Declaration on Principles of International Law adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1970, no country or group of countries has the right to intervene or interfere in any form or for any reason in the internal or external affairs of other countries. The General Assembly has also adopted declarations stating that countries have a duty to refrain from exploiting and distorting human rights issues in order to exert pressure on other countries or to create distrust and disorder within and among countries or groups of countries.

The escalating violence being carried out by rioters in Hong Kong has endangered the lives of members of the public, damaged public and private property, trampled on the rule of law and social order, undermined Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and challenged the bottom line of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. The most pressing task for Hong Kong at this moment is to bring the violence and chaos to an end and restore law and order. Over the past few days, a growing number of residents have volunteered to clean roads littered with barricades. They've also offered their support to the police and condemned the actions of the rioters.

Despite the pleas for calm from the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong residents, Washington has pushed ahead with its Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. In doing so, it has drawn criticism from all those in Hong Kong in favor of security and stability. By lending support to the rioters under the guise of support for human rights and democracy, the United States will find itself on the wrong side of history.

The affairs of Hong Kong are China's internal affairs, and they will continue to be managed within the framework of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. China's central government has repeatedly voiced its determination to safeguard the country's sovereignty, security, and development, as well as the implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. China will brook no interference in its affairs from any outside forces. If Washington pushes the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act further toward becoming law, Beijing will have no choice but to respond with firm countermeasures.