HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Saturday strongly disapproved and opposed the so-called "2023 Annual Report" issued by the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which made biased, slandering and smearing remarks against the situation in the HKSAR.

A spokesperson for the HKSAR government said that the HKSAR government strongly disapproved and opposed the commission's repeated tactics to interfere in the affairs of the HKSAR through the so-called annual report, and make slandering remarks against Hong Kong, where the "one country, two systems" principle is successfully implemented.

The spokesperson said that intervention and sanctions will not shake China's firm will to safeguard national sovereignty, security, development interests and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, nor will it stop the turnaround from stability to prosperity in Hong Kong and the great cause of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation

The spokesperson said that the so-called "sanctions" as mentioned in the report is a smack of despicable political manipulation to intimidate the HKSAR officials safeguarding national security. These grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs and violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

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The HKSAR despised such so-called "sanctions" and was not intimidated by such despicable behavior. The HKSAR will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson reiterated that the HKSAR government will steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully live up to the highest principle of "one country, two systems". It will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the national security law in Hong Kong, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws of the HKSAR on safeguarding national security, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, the HKSAR government will uphold the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems", the spokesperson said.

The HKSAR government strongly demanded the United States to immediately stop acting against international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs.

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The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR also expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the US report which is full of ignorance, lies and prejudice and distorts the facts.

A spokesperson of the office said that over the past 27 years since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy have been effectively implemented, the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law have been fully protected, and the achievements in economic and social development have been recognized by all.

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The spokesperson said that intervention and sanctions will not shake China's firm will to safeguard national sovereignty, security, development interests and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, nor will it stop the turnaround from stability to prosperity in Hong Kong and the great cause of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The office strongly urged the US side to abide by the principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs.