Photo taken on July 14, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square in south China's Hong Kong, July 14, 2020. Photo: Xinhua

Liaison office of the central government in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said US' sanctions on officials of the office was nothing but bluster and scrap paper, which will only further stimulate China's strong will and determination to protect Hong Kong.

The office's spokesperson said in a statement that they will fully and faithfully carry out the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy, resolutely implement the central government's overall governance over the city, and implement the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security. 

The spokesperson stressed that they will firmly safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests and maintain overall social stability in the HKSAR.

"We believe that with the concerted efforts of all sectors of Hong Kong society, the path of democracy with Hong Kong characteristics will be further expanded and the city will embrace a brighter future of greater prosperity and stability," said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson's remarks came after the US Department of State on Monday announced to sanction five Chinese officials after the Hong Kong Legislative Council (LegCo) election under the pretext of the so-called Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020.

It came after a statement issued by the US Department of State on Monday, which said under the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, the Secretary of State is required to update Congress regularly on foreign persons who are materially contributing to, have materially contributed to, or attempt to contribute materially to the failure of the People Republic of China (PRC) to meet its obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration or Hong Kong's Basic Law, as defined by the act. 

The US statement identifies five PRC officials whose actions have reduced Hong Kong's autonomy.

The five officials are deputy directors of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, which is the PRC's main entity for projecting its influence in Hong Kong, according to the statement. 

At Tuesday's press briefing, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the sanctions seriously violate international law and basic norms, and seriously interfere in China's internal affairs. They are "illegal and invalid," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

The liaison office spokesperson pointed out that some Western countries are openly opposed to the HKSAR authorities fixing the loopholes in its election system and the principle of only patriots governing Hong Kong, and are attacking regulations on the act of inciting blank votes, which is "hypocritical and ridiculous" behavior.

The US has a bad record on its own democracy. For example, racism, election chaos, a badly managed pandemic situation. How is it qualified to comment on Hong Kong's democracy? the spokesperson of the liaison office said.

Global Times