China on Tuesday urged the United States to adopt a fair and objective attitude on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's proposal to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and other domestic affairs of China in any form.
The remarks came as Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang commented on reports that the U.S. on Monday expressed serious concern over the proposed amendments of the two ordinances, saying that this would threaten Hong Kong's special status.
Geng said the Hong Kong SAR government has listened extensively to the views of various sectors of the community on the proposed amendments and has twice adjusted the draft amendments to respond positively to relevant suggestions.
"The Chinese central government will continue to firmly support the Hong Kong SAR government in amending the ordinances," Geng said.
Geng said since China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy have been earnestly carried out. The entitled rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents have been fully guaranteed according to law.
"Hong Kong continues to be ranked by many international institutions as one of the freest economies and most competitive regions in the world," Geng said.
"Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. No country, organization or individual has the right to interfere."
Geng said that China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. side making irresponsible remarks on the Hong Kong SAR government's amending the ordinances and making groundless accusations about Hong Kong affairs.
"We ask the U.S. side to adopt a fair and objective attitude with regard to the lawful amendment of the ordinances by the Hong Kong SAR government, be discreet in its words and actions and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in any form," he added.
