HKSAR gov't firmly opposes EU interference in Hong Kong's electoral matters

HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Thursday firmly opposed the unfounded accusations made by the European Union (EU) to the Decision on Improving the Electoral System of the HKSAR passed by the National People's Congress (NPC).

The HKSAR government urged the international community to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are internal affairs of China.

The decision is entirely constitutional, legal, reasonable and rational. The central authorities take the initiative from the state level to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR, aiming to plug the loopholes in and eliminate the deficiencies of the existing electoral system, said a spokesman for the HKSAR government.

"Through constructing a democratic system that is consistent with the actual situation of Hong Kong, it fully conforms to the constitutional order under the 'one country, two systems' principle and manifests Hong Kong characteristics that can thereby put Hong Kong back on track and make rectification," said the spokesman.

"We firmly oppose the misleading claims by the EU concerning the improvement to the electoral system as well as their ulterior motives," the spokesman said, stressing that the improvement to the electoral system of the HKSAR is both timely and necessary, as anti-China forces had created chaos in the HKSAR's Legislative Council, paralyzed the operation of the HKSAR government, and even colluded with external forces to undermine Hong Kong's safety and interests.

"No country or government could turn a blind eye to such dangers. The HKSAR government is committed to ensuring elections being conducted in a fair, just and open manner," the spokesman said.

The spokesman noted that it is hypocritical for the EU to attack China by creating issues in the HKSAR using the pretext of human rights, democracy and autonomy.

The spokesman said that the HKSAR government strongly refute the accusation that "one country, two systems" is undermined. The Central People's Government will unswervingly implement the principle of "one country, two systems", which is the best institutional arrangement to ensure Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, and ensure that it is fully applied in Hong Kong without being bent or distorted.

"The legal basis for implementing 'one country, two systems' is the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR Basic Law, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration," the spokesman said.