NPC strongly condemns US Senate sanctions bill on Hong Kong

China's National People's Congress on Thursday strongly condemned the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" passed by the US Senate recently, calling it "a serious violation" of international law and basic norms of international relations.

The bill, passed by the US Senate last Thursday, imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that "contribute to China's failure to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy."

Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives, said in a statement released on Wednesday that the Act was to respond China's passage of the new national security law for Hong Kong on Tuesday.

The National People's Congress Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement Thursday that the move seriously breached international law and basic norms and was gross interference in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs.

National security legislation falls squarely under the purview of central governments in all countries in the world. The Central government holds the greatest and ultimate responsibility for the national security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the statement said.

The NPC Standing Committee formulated the law in accordance with China's Constitution and Hong Kong's Basic Law, as well as the relevant decision adopted by China's top legislature. It is entirely China's internal affair and no foreign country has the right to interfere, it said.

The national security law targets only a very small number of acts that seriously endanger national security. It helps resolutely and effectively safeguard national security and the rule of law in Hong Kong, suppress violence and chaos, and protect all rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents.

It provides powerful protection for HKSAR's high degree of autonomy and ensures a stable and farther advancement of the "one country, two systems" cause, it said.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and Chinese government governs Hong Kong based on China's Constitution, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

After Hong Kong was handed back to China from British control, the Chinese government has made clear and incorporated the principles and policies toward Hong Kong into the Basic Law, which has been fully and effectively implemented. Therefore there is no such case as "China violating international obligations", it added.

"We strongly urge the US Congress and some politicians immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs, including Hong Kong affairs, in any way," it said, adding that China will take "all necessary measures" to respond resolutely if the US side obstinately sticks to the Act.