China urges stop of US interference in HK internal affairs

BEIJING - China on Wednesday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to US interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs, urging the United States to respect China's concerns.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks in response to a question regarding a meeting between US Vice-President Joe Biden and two Hong Kong former legislators.

The White House said Biden talked to former Hong Kong Legislative Council member Lee Chu-ming and former Chief Secretary Chan Fang On-sang.

Biden underscored the United States' long-standing support for democracy in Hong Kong and for the city's high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework, said the White House statement.

"The development of Hong Kong's political system is China's internal affairs," Hong said, adding that the country firmly opposes any foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Since Hong Kong's return 17 years ago, the region has seen remarkable achievements in implementing the "one country, two systems" framework, the spokesman said during a routine briefing.

Currently, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is pushing forward related work, Hong said.

"What the United States has done was absolutely wrong," he added.

China urges the United States to respect China's position and concern and stop interfering in Hong Kong's internal affairs in any form, said the spokesman.