White paper points way for HK democracy

Urging anti-China forces to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, Liu said that the central government will continue to promote the development of democracy in Hong Kong and resolutely uphold the fundamental interests of all people in Hong Kong.

Also on Wednesday, central and SAR government officials refuted the criticisms of some foreign countries－including the United States and the United Kingdom－about Sunday's Legislative Council election.

A spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR said in a statement that the West is in no position to point fingers at other jurisdictions' democratic development, given that their own democratic deficiencies have led to various social problems.

Noting that Western countries have strict laws and regulations to prevent foreign interference in their elections, the spokesperson said their smearing of the Hong Kong election further exposed their double standards.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu also denounced foreign interference. Lee said that such meddling will only make the SAR government more vigilant, and further improve the city's legal system in terms of safeguarding national security and upholding "one country, two systems".

Xinhua contributed to this story.