Top legislature slams US interference in Hong Kong affairs

The National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature of China, on Wednesday strongly condemned and firmly opposed the U.S. House of Representatives' passing of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019.

The move constituted "blatant interference in Hong Kong affairs and gross intervention in China's internal affairs," according to a statement issued by the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee.

Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the policies of "one country, two systems," "the people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy have been fully implemented, which has been a "universally recognized" success, the statement read.

The Hong Kong compatriots enjoy comprehensive freedom and democratic rights in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the Basic Law and other local laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the statement said.

However, in the name of "human rights" and "democracy," the U.S. House of Representatives has attempted to disrupt Hong Kong and keep China's development at bay, disregarding international law and the basic norms governing international relations, the statement said.

The committee also accused the U.S. House of Representatives of ignoring the will and appeals of the Hong Kong society, and turning a blind eye to crimes committed by some violent radicals that severely damaged the social security and stability of Hong Kong, flagrantly challenged the "one country, two systems" principle and showed signs of terrorism.

"Hong Kong belongs to China, and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs that must not be interfered with by any other country," the statement read.

"We strongly urge the U.S. Congress and certain politicians to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop prompting the deliberation on Hong Kong-related bills," the statement said, urging the U.S. side to do more things that are conducive to the long-term development and fundamental interests of China and the United States.

Editor: John Li