US Congress should stop interfering in Hong Kong says government, as it hits back at lawmakers’ claims of ‘accelerated trend of decreased autonomy’
- Congressional-Executive Commission on China publishes annual report that says it has seen further erosion in fundamental freedoms in city
- Group says White House should warn officials against actions that could threaten Hong Kong’s special status with US
US lawmakers should stop interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs, the government said on Thursday, as it hit back at congressional claims there had been “an accelerated trend of decreased autonomy” in the city.
In its annual report, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) said it had observed a further erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and fundamental freedoms under the “one country, two systems” framework.
“Chinese government influence over the territory, and Hong Kong officials’ willingness to comply with the interests of the Chinese government, continued an accelerated trend of decreased autonomy observed in recent years,” the report said.
But a government spokesman disputed that, and said the city had seen “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997, and had enjoyed a high degree of autonomy.
“The one country, two systems principle has been fully and successfully implemented. The Hong Kong government will continue to implement the principle resolutely in accordance with the Basic Law,” the spokesman said.
On Wednesday, Congress urged the White House to warn Chinese and Hong Kong officials that the erosion of the city’s autonomy would threaten its special status under United States law.