Washington urged to respect rule of law in Hong Kong

China will take resolute countermeasures if the United States imposes visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday, urging Washington to stop meddling in the region's affairs by any means.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the decision in a statement regarding the 2024 Hong Kong Policy Act Report, which was released on Friday.

Blinken said the visa curbs will be imposed on multiple Hong Kong officials "responsible for the intensifying crackdown on rights and freedoms".

The statement did not mention the officials who would be targeted.

China deplores and opposes the so-called report, and has made serious demarches to the US, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a daily news conference.

Wang said Washington released the report to discredit the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the region's electoral system and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

It also slanders Hong Kong's democracy, rule of law as well as human rights and freedom, he added.

Wang slammed the report for "confusing right and wrong and calling white as black", saying that the move severely interfered with Hong Kong affairs, which is China's domestic affairs, and violated the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

After the implementation of the national security law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, as well as revising and improving the electoral system, Hong Kong has been equipped with a solid barrier that safeguards national security, the spokesman said.

It also ensures the implementation of the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong, Wang said.

Rights safeguarded

Such practices have protected Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and safeguarded Hong Kong residents' various rights and freedoms in accordance with the law.

Hong Kong has restored order and is set to thrive, Wang said, adding that the "one country, two systems" is implemented steadily on the right track.

The spokesman stressed that the Chinese government has unwavering resolve in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing the "one country, two systems", and opposing external interference in Hong Kong affairs.

Beijing urged Washington to earnestly respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, he said.