China on Friday expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to a recent U.S. report on the Hong Kong Policy Act, urging "prudent words and acts" on issues related to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The remarks came as Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang commented on the annual report released by the U.S. Department of State concerning the Hong Kong Policy Act.

Geng said at a press briefing that 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.

"The Chinese government will stay resolutely committed to administering Hong Kong in strict accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law and implementing the 'one country, two systems' principle in a comprehensive and accurate manner," said Geng.

"Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs and no foreign country is entitled to meddle in them," said the spokesperson.

Geng said that China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. side's making irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs and making groundless accusations in its report against China's central government and the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

"We demand the U.S. side cease their wrongdoings and practice prudence on words and acts over Hong Kong-related issues," he added.

The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) also slammed the U.S. report, saying that "foreign governments should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR."

Hong Kong ranks first in Asia in terms of judicial independence, and is also one of the safest places in the world, a spokesman for the HKSAR government said on Friday.

The spokesman said that human rights and freedom in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation, adding that "HKSAR government attaches great importance to them and is determined to safeguard them."

The Basic Law clearly stipulates that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of China, and any suggestion for "Hong Kong's independence" is a blatant violation of the Basic Law and a direct affront to the national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, the spokesman said.

On other issues mentioned in the report, including the prohibition of the operation of the Hong Kong National Party, a visa application case, the Legislative Council by-election in November 2018 and the 2019 rural ordinary election, the HKSAR government emphasized that it has always been handling Hong Kong affairs strictly in accordance with the "one country, two systems" principle, the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong.