The United States was slammed on Tuesday for its “hypocritical and hegemonic bullying” attempt to destabilize Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and contain China’s rise.

The harsh criticism was made in a strongly-worded commentary under the pen name of “Gang Ao Ping” posted on the official Wechat account of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council late on Tuesday.

The commentary pushed back against recent US actions, including the biased 2025 Hong Kong Policy Act Report on the city’s legal and human rights conditions, the so-called reciprocal new tariffs imposed on the tariff-free city and legislative efforts to revoke privileges for Hong Kong’s trade offices in the US.

The commentary emphasized that Hong Kong has transitioned from chaos to governance and is now advancing toward prosperity, with its legal system and national security mechanisms strengthened under the "one country, two systems" framework.

It highlighted Hong Kong’s judicial independence, fair elections, and improved business environment as evidence of the city’s success.  

“Hong Kong residents enjoy broader rights and freedoms than ever before,” the commentary said, dismissing US criticism as “baseless slander”.

It accused Washington of being the “biggest threat” to Hong Kong SAR’s rule of law, citing its support for anti-China agitators during the 2019 protests and attempts to influence judicial proceedings.  

The commentary lambasted the US for its “double standards”, questioning its credibility on democracy, freedom, and human rights.

It pointed to America’s “money-dominated elections”, the Capitol riot of 2021, and systemic racial injustices, as proof of its failing democratic system.  

On human rights, the commentary condemned US military interventions abroad, gun violence, and surveillance programs like PRISM, arguing that Washington has “no moral high ground” to lecture others.

The statement reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty and Hong Kong’s stability, warning that any foreign interference would be met with “a hunter’s rifle”.

It asserted that US efforts to disrupt Hong Kong and curb China’s development are doomed to fail.

“The Chinese people do not fear intimidation,” the commentary said. “The death knell of US hegemony is already ringing.”  

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday has announced sanctions against US lawmakers, officials, and non-governmental organization leaders for their “egregious interference” in Hong Kong SAR’s affairs, marking a firm retaliation against Washington’s malicious acts to undermine the city's stability and prosperity.  

Contact the writer at lilei@chinadailyhk.com