China condemns U.S. political bullying over Hong Kong

BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday strongly condemned the so-called sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of State on senior Chinese legislators of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, calling the move "hysterical political bullying."

The so-called sanctions by the U.S. Department of State came after its opposition to the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) adopted by the NPC Standing Committee and the decision by the NPC Standing Committee on the qualification of HKSAR Legislative Council members.

The move totally violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations, said a statement by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

No country would turn a blind eye to actions and activities that jeopardize its national security, and no country would consent to someone who seeks to split the country, subvert state power or collude with external forces holding public office, said the statement.

The United States itself has long established a well-enforced legal system of safeguarding national security, as well as strict laws and regulations regarding the qualification and oath-taking for its senators and representatives, it said.

Yet, the U.S. side has blatantly slandered, interfered with and suppressed the NPC Standing Committee's justified actions to improve the legal system supporting the principle of "one country, two systems," and safeguard national security and the constitutional order in the HKSAR, which are in line with China's own laws and international practice, said the statement, adding that the actions of the U.S. side are nothing more than double standards and hegemonic logic.

The U.S. side has repeatedly wielded the stick of sanctions, fully revealing the political agenda of some U.S. politicians to disrupt Hong Kong, undermine the practice of "one country, two systems" and contain China's development, it said.

The repulsive tricks of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his ilk will fade into nothing and simply will not work, the statement noted.

Every so-called sanction imposed by the U.S. side will only strengthen the will of the Chinese people to safeguard their national security, it said, adding that such acts will not shake the Chinese government's determination and confidence to firmly implement the principle of "one country, two systems," nor will they stop the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.