The Foreign Ministry on Friday issued a fact sheet revealing how the United States has interfered in Hong Kong affairs and supported anti-China and destabilizing forces, and said that China will make a firm and strong response.
The fact sheet listed 102 examples of U.S. interference since the turbulence over the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance in Hong Kong in 2019. Such measures taken by the U.S. include enacting Hong Kong related acts, imposing sanctions, making unfounded charges, supporting anti-China and destabilizing forces, and colluding with some other countries to exert pressure.
The U.S. attempt to play the Hong Kong card to undermine the prosperity and stability of the region and suppress China's development will not succeed, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Friday.
Zhao called on Washington to respect China's sovereignty, abide by international law and the basic norms of international relations, and cease meddling in Hong Kong affairs, undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong or interfering in other internal affairs of China.
"The U.S. must refrain from supporting and emboldening forces which are opposed to China and attempt to destabilize Hong Kong. Otherwise, it will only shoot itself in the foot and severely harm its own interests in Hong Kong," he said.
Through the fact sheet, people can clearly see the hypocrisy of the U.S. in pursuing double standards on the issues of democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said in a statement on Friday.
The evidence also made it clear that the hegemonic nature of the U.S. makes it lecture others, the office said.
No external interference can shake the Chinese government's firm determination to fully and faithfully implement and take forward the principle of "one country, two systems", the statement said.
Fact Sheet: U.S. Interference in Hong Kong Affairs and Support for Anti-China, Destabilizing Forces
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Friday also expressed full support for the fact sheet, saying that it will continue to enforce the National Security Law for Hong Kong, implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", and firmly oppose and guard against foreign forces interfering in the affairs of Hong Kong.
U.S. interference and collusion with anti-China forces had made Hong Kong a gaping hole in national security and jeopardized the city's prosperity and stability, the Hong Kong SAR government said.
It thanked the central authorities for enacting the National Security Law for Hong Kong, which allows it to prevent, suppress and punish any act endangering national security.
The introduction of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the improvement of the electoral system have provided fundamental institutional guarantees for Hong Kong's security and development, said Lyu Xiang, an expert on U.S. studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The U.S. must realize that the "Hong Kong card" is futile and counterproductive, he said.
Calling the fact sheet a "criminal record" of the U.S., a spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of the Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR said in a statement on Friday that facts have repeatedly shown that the US is the chief culprit in undermining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and the details in the fact sheet provide irrefutable proof of this.
The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR said on Friday that following sanctions against U.S. individuals and entities and the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, the fact sheet has demonstrated China's firm determination and capability to deter foreign interference.
Shadow Li and William Xu contributed to this story.
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