The Chinese embassy in the United States expressed strong disapproval of the U.S. Department of State's \"Hong Kong Policy Act Report\" and remarks made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In a statement released on Friday, the embassy emphasized that \"China strongly deplores and firmly opposes\" the criticisms directed at the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (HKSAR) Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
The embassy spokesperson accused the U.S. of repeatedly discrediting the ordinance, alleging that such actions threaten to impose unjust unilateral sanctions on the HKSAR and Hong Kong officials performing their duties. \"The U.S. should immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and other internal affairs of China,\" the statement added.
Effective since March 23, the HKSAR's Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was enacted to address national security gaps as stipulated by Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law. The ordinance draws on experiences from other common law jurisdictions, aims to protect human rights, clearly define criminal elements, and ensure a distinction between criminal and non-criminal activities.
According to the embassy, the ordinance safeguards the normal business operations of foreign institutions, organizations, and personnel in Hong Kong, facilitating international exchanges. It maintains Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and preserves its capitalist system and way of life.
\"The ordinance enables Hong Kong to leverage its unique status and strengths, deepening exchanges and cooperation with various countries and regions, and consolidating its status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center,\" the spokesperson stated.
Furthermore, the embassy criticized the U.S. for exhibiting double standards on national security issues. Highlighting the United States' own stringent national security systems, the spokesperson labeled U.S. criticisms of the HKSAR's ordinance as \"sheer political manipulation and hypocritical double standards.\"
In closing, the embassy urged the United States to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in the HKSAR, calling for an immediate halt to meddling in its internal affairs.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
