US Visa Restrictions Related to Hong Kong... China Protests "No Interference in Internal Affairs"

President Xi Jinping Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The United States announced visa restrictions on Chinese officials responsible for the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law, prompting China to strongly oppose and demand an end to interference in its internal affairs.

According to major foreign media on the 27th, the Chinese Embassy in the United States issued a statement criticizing, "China firmly opposes the United States' wrongful actions. Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal matters."

It added, "China does not tolerate any external interference in Hong Kong affairs, and the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law is the right and responsibility of the Chinese central government and is internationally recognized."

It continued, "The Hong Kong National Security Law targets a very small number of acts and activities that pose a serious threat to national security," emphasizing, "This law aims to complete Hong Kong's legal system, stabilize social order, safeguard 'One Country, Two Systems,' and ensure the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong society."

The Hong Kong Office of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement on the same day under the spokesperson's name, demanding an end to interference in Hong Kong affairs.

The office claimed, "The United States' accusation that the Chinese central government is destroying the autonomy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is completely a reversal of black and white," and argued, "No one is more committed than the Chinese government to fully implementing 'One Country, Two Systems,' nor more concerned about Hong Kong's prosperity and stability."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 26th (local time), Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced in a statement, "We are announcing visa restrictions on current and former Chinese Communist Party officials who are believed to be responsible for or involved in undermining Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy guaranteed by the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration or violating human rights and fundamental freedoms," adding, "Family members of these individuals may also be subject to restrictions."

However, he did not specify who exactly would be targeted or how many were included.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.