Source:
https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2047163/chinese-foreign-ministry-hits-back-against-us-report
Hong Kong/ Politics

Chinese Foreign Ministry hits back against US report questioning Beijing’s commitment to Hong Kong rule of law

US-China Economic and Security Review Commission report expresses doubts about city’s independent legal system in wake of Causeway Bay Books saga

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry commissioner’s office in Hong Kong slammed the report for ‘inappropriately commenting’ on the city’s affairs. Photo: May Tse

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s representative in Hong Kong has spoken out against a report by a United States congressional commission that suggested congressmen should take a tougher stance against China in support of Hong Kong’s rule of law.

The comments came after an annual report released on Thursday by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission expressed doubts about the city’s independent legal system in wake of the mysterious disappearances and re-appearances of booksellers in the Causeway Bay Books saga.

It suggested that Congress members express concern to China over whether its commitments to maintaining the city’s high degree of autonomy had been violated.

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry commissioner’s office in Hong Kong said on Thursday that the report “inappropriately commented [on] and smeared” the Chinese government’s policies towards Hong Kong.

“The Chinese government is strongly discontent with the irresponsible comments made by the US,” the spokesman said.

He added that “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy had been effectively implemented in the city in the 19 years since the handover.

“Hong Kong’s matters are purely China’s internal affairs. We strongly object to any foreign institutions criticising and intervening in Hong Kong’s matters in any way,” the spokesman said.