SAR denounces push in US Congress to pass HK 'democracy' legislation

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government denounced the United States Congress' reintroduction of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and reiterated that foreign legislatures should not interfere in any way in the internal affairs of Hong Kong, according to a written release from the SAR on Monday.

It also condemned the illegal behavior of radical protesters over the weekend, saying their acts of vandalism must stop immediately.

"Since the return to the motherland, the Hong Kong SAR has been exercising 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law," the statement said.

The "one country, two systems" principle has been fully and successfully implemented.

Human rights and freedom in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation, the statement said. "The Hong Kong SAR government attaches great importance to them and is determined to safeguard them," according to the statement.

During Sunday's protest, several subway stations, including Central and Wan Chai stations on Hong Kong Island, were severely vandalized. Some radicals started fires near several station entrances, smashed windows and shattered the screens of ticket machines.

Over the weekend, 157 people were arrested, police said.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and the management of subway operator MTR Corp said such vandalism is intolerable. Such acts have seriously affected the lives of local residents and tourists and have severely tarnished Hong Kong's image, they agreed.

Lam spoke in a meeting after visiting the area around Central Station. Lam and the MTR managers vowed to maintain their resolve against such violence and will work together to minimize the negative impact of protests.

The SAR Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan also appealed to the public to respect the responsibilities of MTR's staff as well as the public's right to travel.

The MTR is the most important part of Hong Kong's transportation system, handling an average of 5 million passenger trips a day.

All exits of Central Station were open on Monday, thanks to overnight repairs by MTR staff and a cleaning crew that started work early in morning.

A cleaner who wanted to remain anonymous said she arrived at 7 am to erase the graffiti sprayed on outer walls of subway stations, phone booths and advertising boards.

She said the facilities "have nothing to do with the protests and should not be damaged".

On Sunday, most shops and restaurants in the area closed right after Central Station announced suspension of services at 4 pm.

Nass, 28, a shop manager in Central, said Sunday was the first time his establishment had closed earlier than usual in recent months. "But if it (the violence and vandalism) continues, or occurs even once a month, our company may have to lay off some staff," said Nass, adding that the retail heartland of Hong Kong continued to see fewer visitors since the protests began three months ago.

A 76-year-old resident who gave his name as Yadav said he had to walk to work at 8:30 pm on Sunday because buses and the subway were out of service.

"I don't know when this will stop. But what protesters did was very bad. People living here are having a very difficult time," Yadav said.