China asks relevant countries not to support 'Hong Kong independence' forces

BEIJING -- China on Tuesday asked relevant countries to be cautious with their words and actions, and not to offer any support to forces advocating "Hong Kong independence."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the remarks at a regular briefing when commenting on reports saying that Britain on Monday said that it recognized the right of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee to interpret the Basic Law of Hong Kong SAR and expressed concern on recent developments in Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) and the timing of the interpretation. The spokesperson of the U.S. State Department had said it was "disappointed" by recent developments concerning the LegCo.

Lu said that the heinous move by forces advocating "Hong Kong independence," attempting to split the country and publicly seeking external support was the biggest threat to the "one country, two systems".

On Monday, China's top legislature adopted an interpretation to Article 104 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), clarifying the implications and requirements of the oaths taken by legislators-elect.

Lu said that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and its affairs fall within China's domestic domain. The adoption of the interpretation was a move made by China's top legislature to exercise its lawful right endowed by the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR and to fulfill its constitutional responsibility. "It is completely within China's sovereignty and other countries have no right to interfere."

He said, "We demand all relevant countries to honor their open commitments, mind their own words and deeds, not interfere in Hong Kong's domestic affairs nor give support to 'Hong Kong independence' forces."