Senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi on Wednesday said China will continue to protect the legitimate rights and interests of all countries in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and welcome the international community to expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Hong Kong in various fields. He made the remarks when meeting with foreign ambassadors to China.

Yang, who is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, met with Cambodian Ambassador Khek Cai Mealy Sysoda, Lao Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh, and Kuwaiti Ambassador Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat respectively in Beijing.

Yang noted China is willing to further close bilateral contacts with the three countries, promote cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and in high-quality building of the Belt and Road.

He also called for strengthening multilateral coordination and cooperation, and jointly maintaining international justice and regional peace and stability.

The amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law of the HKSAR were passed at a session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee with a unanimous vote from all 167 committee members in attendance on Tuesday.

Yang told the three ambassadors that improving HKSAR's electoral system at the national level aims to implement the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and ensure Hong Kong's long-term stability and the steady practice of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in the long run.

"This is in line with the common interests of China and the international community," he added.

The senior diplomat reiterated that China has the determination and ability to maintain the stability of Hong Kong and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

The three ambassadors expressed their gratitude to China for its support in their countries' fight against the pandemic and voiced willingness to continue to work to promote the development of bilateral friendly and cooperative relations with China.

The three countries will continue to firmly support the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and China's legitimate position on issues related to Hong Kong, and believe that Hong Kong will achieve long-term prosperity and stability, the ambassadors said.