Hong Kong government warned early in the morning that if the United States “sanctions” Hong Kong, it will damage its own interests

The Hong Kong SAR government issued a communique in the early morning of the 29th, strongly opposing the general remarks in the report submitted by the State Department under the so-called “Hong Kong Policy Law”. A spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR government urged the United States to stop interfering in China’s and Hong Kong’s internal affairs, stressing that if the United States imposed sanctions on Hong Kong, it would seriously damage the interests of the United States itself.

“These remarks misinterpret the constitutional relationship between the HKSAR and the central government, stigmatize the implementation of” one country, two systems “in Hong Kong and interfere in the internal affairs of the HKSAR,” a spokesman for the HKSAR government said

According to the communique, Hong Kong is an inseparable part of the people’s Republic of China and a highly autonomous local administrative region directly under the Central People’s government. As the highest organ of state power of the people’s Republic of China, the National People’s Congress, in accordance with Articles 31 and 62 of the state constitution, has the power to establish special administrative regions and the systems to be implemented in the special administrative regions as prescribed by law.

“In the past 23 years, the central government and the Hong Kong SAR government have been managing Hong Kong’s internal affairs in accordance with the Constitution and the basic law, and have fully implemented the principle of” one country, two systems “. We regret that there is no basis for the allegations in the report about the high degree of autonomy of the Hong Kong SAR and the encroachment on the legitimate rights and interests and freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong. ”

“National security legislation is central to any other country, including the United States,” the spokesman stressed. The decision (decision) made by the National People’s Congress through the establishment and improvement of the legal system and enforcement mechanism for the maintenance of national security in the Hong Kong SAR is entirely within the power scope of the National People’s Congress. By preventing, suppressing and punishing any act or activity that splits the country, subverts the state power, organizes and carries out terrorist activities, as well as foreign and foreign forces’ activities that interfere in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong SAR, the national security law, which will be formulated by the Standing Committee of the national people’s Congress in accordance with the decision, will restore stability to Hong Kong and better protect the legitimate rights, interests and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong To contribute to the long-term prosperity of Hong Kong. ”

The communique said there was no denying that Hong Kong had been beset by escalating violence since June last year. Incidents involving explosives and firearms occur frequently, which constitute a terrorist risk and seriously endanger public security. In addition, organizations promoting “Hong Kong Independence” and “self-determination” were allegedly supported by foreign or external forces, inciting demonstrators, especially young people, to challenge the authority of the central and SAR governments. These facts are clear.

In response to media inquiries about Hong Kong’s “special status” or special treatment under U.S. law or possible sanctions against Hong Kong, a spokesman for the SAR government pointed out that Hong Kong’s “status as a separate customs area” was conferred by the basic law. We will continue to pursue free trade policy. As a separate member of the world trade organization, we expect fair treatment from our trading partners. “The use of sanctions as a threat to intervene in policies elsewhere is contrary to international law and practice. In fact, in the relationship between Hong Kong and the United States, any sanctions measure is a double-edged sword, which will not only damage the interests of Hong Kong, but also seriously damage the interests of the United States itself. ”

The communique stressed that in the past decade, the United States has earned the highest trade surplus in Hong Kong among its global trading partners. Between 2009 and 2018, the cumulative trade surplus of related goods amounted to US $297 billion. In 2019, due to trade frictions between China and the United States, the relevant surplus has been reduced from $31.4 billion in 2018 to $26.4 billion. If sanctions are imposed on services and investment, 1300 US companies in Hong Kong may be further affected. “The SAR government hopes that the U.S. government will adopt a pragmatic attitude, based on its own interests in Hong Kong, stop interfering in China’s and Hong Kong’s internal affairs, and continue to maintain its economic and trade policy towards Hong Kong.