Beijing warns US of countermeasures over HK interference

Beijing urged Washington to immediately stop consideration of a Hong Kong-related bill and cease using Hong Kong issue to interfere in China's domestic affairs on Wednesday, saying its wrong doings will face vigorous countermeasures.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the remarks after the chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Tuesday that he wanted the Senate to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, Reuters reported.

China has repeatedly expressed its firm disapproval of the issue, and has lodged "solemn representation" with the US over the act, Geng said.

He claimed that the current situation in Hong Kong has nothing to do with human rights or democracy, and the real issue is to promptly end violence, restore order and safeguard China's rule of law.

"The US senator turned a blind eye to the protesters who left a trail of smashed or burned items all over the city and has blatantly backed the Hong Kong violent radicals. Such moves aim to undermine the prosperity and stability in the city to contain China's development," he said.

He added that China firmly opposes such decisions.

Noting that the US has important interests in Hong Kong, Geng said that if the relevant acts were to become law, it would not only harm China's interests and China-US relations, but would also seriously damage US interests.

"China will definitely take strong countermeasures in response to the wrong decisions by the US to defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," he said.

Geng reiterated that Hong Kong's affairs are China's domestic affairs and dismissed any external interference.

He urged the US to clearly understand the situation, step back from the brink of the precipice and immediately stop bolstering violent crimes.

On Tuesday, the European Union called for a comprehensive inquiry into the violence, use of force and root causes of the protests in Hong Kong.

In response, Geng said at the Wednesday news briefing that China urges relevant parties to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop issuing irresponsible remarks.

He noted that the continuous large-scale violence has pushed Hong Kong into an extremely dangerous situation.

"The central government supports the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, the police and the judiciary in taking effective measures to punish illegal crimes, protect the security of its citizens and restore peace and stability in the city," he said.