A spokesperson of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Monday issued a statement hailing the adoption of an interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) as "absolutely necessary" and timely.
"The interpretation demonstrates the central government's firm determination and will in opposing 'Hong Kong independence,'" the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson went on to say that the interpretation "safeguards the authority of the Basic Law and the rule of law in Hong Kong" and "complies with the common aspiration of the entire Chinese people, including the compatriots in Hong Kong."