China urges against US comments on HK affairs

BEIJING - China on Wednesday urged the United States to stop commenting on Hong Kong's internal affairs.

"The development of Hong Kong's political system is China's internal affair. The Chinese government resolutely opposes any interventions by any other countries and expects the relevant country to stop making irresponsible comments on Hong Kong's internal affairs," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at the daily press briefing.

Hong's remarks came after a US State Department spokesperson commented on the march in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Hong reviewed the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle over the past 17 years since the region was returned to China, saying Hong Kong people's basic rights and freedom have been fully guaranteed.

Hong said universal suffrage for the chief executive election in 2017 must comply with the Basic Law and the relevant Interpretation and Decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, in accordance with the laws, is carrying out related work, Hong said.