The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday firmly opposed and condemned certain countries' interference in Hong Kong affairs.

Some countries made irresponsible comments, accusations and even threats after a draft decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security was submitted to the third session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) for deliberation on Friday, the spokesperson for the commissioner's office said in a statement, expressing firm opposition.

The draft only targets acts of secession, subverting state power and organizing and carrying out terrorist activities, as well as activities interfering with Hong Kong affairs by foreign or external forces, and will not affect the legitimate rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the law, the spokesperson noted.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson urged relevant countries to respect China's sovereignty, abide by international laws and basic principles of international relations, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs.

The principle of "One Country, Two Systems" will not change, nor will the HKSAR's high degree of autonomy, and the interests of foreign investors in Hong Kong will continue to be protected in accordance with the law, the spokesperson said.

With China's national security effectively guaranteed, the "One Country, Two Systems" principle will surely continue to move forward steadily, and Hong Kong will surely enjoy better development, which serves the common interests of the international community, the spokesperson stressed.

The spokesperson reiterated that safeguarding national security is the exercise of a country's sovereignty, which is the legitimate right of all countries, and legislation on national security belongs to the national legislative power.

It is a typical trick of double standards and bandit logic that some countries are playing when claiming they're upholding "national security" while at the same time undermining China's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and security, the spokesperson added.

(Cover: Photo via VCG)