Q: It is reported that the US House of Representatives passed a resolution on June 26th on the issue of legislation according to Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong and called on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to withdraw the legislation. What?s your comment on it?

A: China firmly opposes such a move by the US House of Representatives that interferes in the internal affairs of both China and the Hong Kong SAR of China.

To prohibit criminal acts harming national security and unity through legislation is a common practice in criminal legislation in all countries, including the United States. It is only natural that the Hong Kong SAR, as an administrative region of the People?s Republic of China, enacts laws on its own to safeguard national security in line with the Basic Law. It is also necessary for the implementation the Basic Law. While examining the draft ordinance concerning national security, the Hong Kong SAR Legislative Council has widely solicited public opinion in an in-depth manner .The draft ordinance, whose aim is to safeguard national security and unity, upholds the principle of safeguarding Hong Kong residents' rights and freedoms stipulated by the Basic Law. It conforms to the provisions on Hong Kong of the two international covenants of human rights. The ordinance enjoys wide support from all walks of life in Hong Kong and is well represented. The US House of Representatives has no justification for making irresponsible comments on the Article 23 legislation. It is a futile attempt.

We again urge the US side to respect the facts and to refrain from words or deeds, which constitute an interference in China's and Hong Kong SAR?s internal affairs, which could harm Sino-US relations and its own image.