Foreign countries blasted for vilifying HK's electoral improvements

The central government's liaison office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Saturday slammed some foreign countries for vilifying a justified move by China to improve the SAR's electoral system.

The spokesperson of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said the electoral improvements are to propel Hong Kong to long-term stability and prosperity.

The National People's Congress – China's top legislature – on Thursday approved a decision to improve Hong Kong's electoral system. Following the decision, some foreign countries, including the US, the European Union and Australia, quickly responded with heavy-handed words.

The spokesperson said the so-called statements by some foreign countries trampled on international law and basic norms governing international relations.

The meddling showed these countries' hegemonic mindset and ulterior motives – to contain China's development, the spokesperson said.

In recent years, especially after the social unrest in 2019, anti-China forces and local radical forces blatantly pushed for separatism and intended to take the whole city down with them. They took advantage of the loopholes in the electoral system to enter the power structure in a bid to paralyze the SAR government, seize control of the SAR and subvert State power, the spokesperson noted.

Some Western countries and external forces played unshakeable roles in all of these. They egged on the radicals and incited and even provided refuge for law-breakers to allow the city to descend into the abyss of chaos, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the move to improve the city's electoral system and plug loopholes in the system was made in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution and the SAR's Basic Law.

The decision was supported by 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson also slammed these countries' double standards and their biased views on Hong Kong affairs.

The spokesperson stressed no country in the world allows people who refuse to pledge allegiance to the country to run for public office and no country allows people who collude with foreign forces and attempt to subvert or split the country to serve as local lawmakers.

No interference and slander can shake China's determination to safeguard its sovereignty, national security, and development interest, and maintain Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, nor obstruct Hong Kong's resumption and China's growth, the spokesperson noted.