HONG KONG – The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has voiced strong opposition to comments by a very few Western countries that openly meddled with Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs.

In a statement issued on Saturday, a spokesperson for the office said the western statements, smearing the National People's Congress (NPC)'s decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, came as a flagrant breach of international law and basic norms governing international relations.

A very few Western countries, however, have made unwarranted remarks about Hong Kong affairs on the pretext of democracy and freedoms. Their latest statements and reports distorted the truth and applied double standards in a bid to endorse anti-China troublemakers in Hong Kong.

Spokesperson, Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR

The spokesperson emphasized that the key issue in the financial hub is not whether democracy and freedoms should be upheld, but about a battle against those trying to grab power and commit subversion and infiltration.

READ MORE: 'No room for concession' on fighting subversion in HK

“A very few Western countries, however, have made unwarranted remarks about Hong Kong affairs on the pretext of democracy and freedoms. Their latest statements and reports distorted the truth and applied double standards in a bid to endorse anti-China troublemakers in Hong Kong. But it only lays bare their ulterior motive to wish Hong Kong ill and use Hong Kong as a pawn to hold back China's development at large,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that the NPC decision has a solid political and legal foundation, and has received broad support from the SAR government and the Hong Kong community.

The decision was a vital step to close the loopholes in the existing system, put into effect the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", improve the institutional framework of "one country, two systems", and protect political stability in the HKSAR, the spokesperson said.

ALSO READ: Foreign meddling in the SAR's affairs must stop

The spokesperson reiterated that Hong Kong is part of China, and that improving the electoral system of the HKSAR is China's internal affair.

“We urge external forces to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop meddling with Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs as a whole,” the spokesperson said.