Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Photo: Xinhua

China totally agrees with and speaks highly of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's comments that Hong Kong affairs are China's domestic issue, and the US response to the proposed national security law on Hong Kong exposes its sense of superiority, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press conference on Wednesday. 

Lavrov's comments fully demonstrate the high level of the China-Russia relations, Zhao said. 

"Under the strategic guidance of both sides' leaders, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era continues to develop healthily and stably. On issues concerning the two countries' core interests in particular, the two sides always firmly support each other," Zhao noted.

The remarks came after Lavrov criticized Washington for meddling in China's internal matters on Tuesday, after White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien warned that the US would impose sanctions on China if it passes a national security legislation for Hong Kong.

In response to the US warning, Zhao reiterated that Hong Kong is China's special administrative region directly under the jurisdiction of the Chinese central government. The national security legislation in Hong Kong is China's domestic issue and no foreign country has the right to interfere. 

Zhao stressed that China is determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, implement "one country, two systems," and oppose any foreign force's interference in Hong Kong affairs. 

"If some people insist on hurting China's interests, China will definitely take all necessary measures to firmly fight back," he said.

Global Times