HK govt slams U.S. report as 'blatant interference'
CGTN

On Wednesday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government vehemently refuted a U.S. report on Hong Kong and expressed "strong opposition to the sweeping attacks and unfounded accusations" in it. 

The report, issued by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) claimed the "One Country, Two Systems" is undermined in the HKSAR. 

"The report is another vivid example of the blatant interference by the U.S. in Hong Kong's affairs, following the U.S. Congress' successive passage of a host of laws against the HKSAR. It is hypocritical for the U.S. to introduce measures to attack China by creating issues in the HKSAR using the excuse of human rights, democracy and autonomy," read an official statement from the local government.

"Such groundless and unjust political manoeuvres will achieve nothing but undermining Hong Kong–U.S. relations and hurting U.S.' own interests," it added. 

"We strongly refute the accusation that 'One Country, Two Systems' is undermined. On the contrary, no one is more committed than the Central People's Government to the implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems' which is the best institutional arrangement to ensure Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability," said the statement. 

The U.S. report also smeared the National Security Law to which the spokesperson said, "It is the legitimate right and duty of every state to safeguard its national security. Be it adopting a unitary or federal system, legislation on national security is invariably carried out by the central authorities rather than local government." 

"There are numerous pieces of legislation covering national security widely in the U.S., with the law enforcement agencies being authorities at the federal level, and provisions that have extraterritorial effect. The attack on the National Security Law only demonstrates the double standards adopted by the U.S." 

On the same day, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR also expressed strong indignation and firm opposition in response to the report, saying it's "full of prejudice and lies." 

"The U.S. so-called annual report is full of lies, has no credibility, and is destined to be thrown into the trash heap of history," stressed the spokesperson. 

"The future and destiny of Hong Kong have always been closely linked to the motherland, 'One Country, Two Systems' can not be shaken by any slander and smearing, playing the 'Hong Kong card' to curb China's development will not succeed in the end." 

The spokesperson urged U.S. politicians to stop before it's too late, adding that otherwise, they will just leave more ridiculous records that are contrary to the facts.