Beijing slams Washington over Hong Kong move

Beijing on Friday urged Washington to cease further action on a resolution that opposes the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and demanded the United States stop using Hong Kong-related issues to interfere in China's domestic affairs.

The nonbinding Hong Kong resolution passed by the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs condemned the central government and the government of the Hong Kong SAR for "violating rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong". The resolution also encouraged the administration of US President Joe Biden to work with other countries to "hold the Chinese government accountable".

Hong Kong is a part of China, and its affairs are China's internal affairs that allow no interference from foreign countries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a daily news conference.

"We urge the US to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, abandon double standards and earnestly respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong," Wang said.

He said that nearly 3 million Hong Kong residents signed a petition in May in support of the National Security Law, while about 70 percent of its residents believe that the city enjoys more safety and greater stability since the law was implemented.

"This is a testament to the popularity of the law," he said, adding that the criticism by the US House of Representatives goes against facts and disregards the aspirations of the Hong Kong people.

The spokesman pointed out that the US has dozens of pieces of legislation concerning its own national security, yet it practices double standards in opposing the National Security Law for Hong Kong, which exposes its hypocrisy.

Since the law was implemented, stability replaced chaos and people from Hong Kong are free from the threat of violence and turbulence and can better exercise their rights and enjoy full freedom in a safer environment, Wang said.