Remarks by Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy on the US Imposing Visa Restrictions on Chinese Officials over Hong Kong Related Issues

2020/06/27

China firmly opposes the US side’s wrongful decisions. Hong Kong is part of China. Hong Kong affairs are China's domestic affairs that allow no external interference. Legislating on national security is a power and obligation of the central government, and also an international practice. The Hong Kong national security legislation targets a very narrow category of acts that seriously jeopardize national security. It will improve Hong Kong's legal system, bring more stability to Hong Kong, and contribute to the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" and Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

The legal basis for the Chinese government to govern Hong Kong is China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. As China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, all rights and obligations of the British side as prescribed in the Joint Declaration were completed. No one has any legal grounds or right to make irresponsible comments on Hong Kong affairs citing the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

We urge the US side to immediately correct its mistakes, withdraw the decisions and stop interfering in China's domestic affairs. The Chinese side will continue to take strong measures to uphold national sovereignty, security and development interests.