US sanctions on lawmakers ludicrous: China Daily editorial

Speaking on Wednesday, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said there seems to be a lack of understanding of "one country, two systems" which, while aimed at preserving as much as possible the way of life and the systems in Hong Kong, is built on the firm foundation of Hong Kong being an inalienable part of China.

Such ignorance on the part of politicians in Washington is perhaps because they believe they are entitled to point an accusing finger at any country over anything that tickles their fancy.

Although the sanctions announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday against 14 members of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress are beyond the pale and suggest a malicious disregard of the reality of Hong Kong rather than simply a lack of awareness.

The legislators have been sanctioned because the NPC Standing Committee adopted a national security law for Hong Kong and made a decision on the qualification of the members of Hong Kong's Legislative Council.

Given that China's national security was being jeopardized by the activities of some secessionists in Hong Kong under the instigation of foreign forces and the special administrative region's social and political stability was being undermined, it was obligatory for China to enact a national security law to restore order in the region and protect the safety and well-being of all Hong Kong residents.

Sanctioning the Chinese legislators for performing their duties as lawmakers is "political bullying" as the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said. It betrays the hysteria and desperation of the China hawks in Washington, and the blinkers of their ideology.

The national security law in Hong Kong has been introduced to safeguard China's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and help guarantee the special administrative region's long-term prosperity and stability.

It is ludicrous for those in Washington to believe that they have any right to get involved in the affairs of Hong Kong, which is an inseparable part of China. But in perceiving themselves to be the final arbiters of justice, they fail to see they are riding roughshod over it.

After months of their malicious attempts to make use of incidents in the SAR to attack China, it should be clear to all that it is the US government officials and politicians that are making an unrelenting assault against Hong Kong's democratic processes. Instead of slapping sanctions on the Chinese lawmakers, politicians in Washington should reflect on the dirty role the US has played in supporting the secessionists and rioters in Hong Kong and impose sanctions on themselves.

The US politicians' slandering of Hong Kong's national security law is doomed to failure. China will never allow hostile forces attempting to hinder its peaceful development to run amok. Any interference in Hong Kong affairs by any foreign force will be firmly opposed by all patriotic Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots.