China said Thursday it strongly opposes a U.S. congressional hearing over the situation in Hong Kong, saying the hearing "constitutes a blatant interference in China's internal affairs."
The U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China conducted a hearing called "Will the Hong Kong model survive? An assessment 20 years after the handover" on Wednesday.
"Defying facts and driven by ulterior motives, the commission claimed that the practice of 'one country, two systems' in Hong Kong has eroded, and press freedom and judicial independence is threatened," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily briefing on Thursday.
"The so-called commission is always biased against China," Geng added.
"One country, two systems, Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy have been earnestly implemented since the return of Hong Kong 20 years ago," Geng said, adding that "it is an undeniable fact for all those without prejudice."
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, the incoming Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, hailed the implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong over the past 20 years as a success during an interview with the Xinhua News Agency and the China Central Television in April.
She also vowed to lead the region in accordance with the Basic Law to ensure the "one country, two systems" principle is implemented without any distortion.
Meanwhile, Geng noted that the hearing constitutes a blatant interference in China's internal affairs, including Hong Kong affairs.
"Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and Hong Kong affairs fall within China's internal affairs. We are firmly opposed to any country's interference in Hong Kong affairs in any form."
"The attempts of some individuals in Hong Kong to collude with foreign forces in meddling in Hong Kong affairs will never succeed," he added.
A spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong also denounced the hearing on Thursday, saying it "grossly meddled in Hong Kong affairs."
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, with several events being held in Hong Kong and the mainland.
