China's top legislature Thursday expressed its firm opposition and strong condemnation over the latest financial sanctions the U.S. imposed on Chinese officials, including 14 vice chairmen of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), over issues related to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). 

Calling the U.S. acts "overbearing and despicable," a spokesman for the NPC Standing Committee stressed in a statement that the U.S. side brutally interfered in China's internal affairs on the pretext of Hong Kong affairs. 

Recalling the rioting and turbulence that occurred in Hong Kong since the proposed legislative amendments in June 2019, the spokesperson said implementing an electoral system in the HKSAR is the central government's responsibility.  

The spokesperson reiterated that the NPC has both the power and responsibility at the constitutional level to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR. 

"The purpose of improving the electoral system of the HKSAR is to eliminate hidden dangers and risks in the institutional mechanism and provide sound institutional safeguards for the full and accurate implementation of the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' and 'patriots administering Hong Kong'," the statement said.

The NPC will, as always, perform its statutory duties, unswervingly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests in accordance with the law, uphold the constitutional order of Hong Kong and provide legal safeguards to combat "Hong Kong independence" forces and ensure Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity, the spokesperson added. 

China's Foreign Ministry Wednesday also condemned the expanded sanctions and said it has taken necessary countermeasures against the U.S.

At a regular press briefing on Wednesday, the ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the U.S. sanctions imposed on the basis of the so-called Hong Kong Autonomy Act (HKAA) have severely interfered in China's internal affairs, exposing the U.S.'s evil intention to obstruct China's stability and development.

He said the NPC's decision to improve the HKSAR's electoral system is a major measure to safeguard the HKSAR's overall and fundamental interests.

The spokesperson urged the U.S. side to immediately correct mistakes and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs. He said China will take resolute measures to safeguard its national sovereignty and protect Chinese enterprises and people's legitimate rights and interests.