BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson of a special committee of China's top legislature on Saturday condemned certain U.S. lawmakers on their wrong comments related to Hong Kong.
You Wenze, spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, said recent illegal activities in Hong Kong, especially extreme violence, are serious violations of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the basic law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the laws on China's national flag and the national emblem, as well as relevant laws and regulations of the HKSAR.
Those activities, which also openly challenged the bottom line of "one country, two systems" principle, blatantly violated the rule of law and order in Hong Kong and severely threatened the safety of Hong Kong residents' lives and property, must be punished in accordance with the law, he said.
However, certain U.S. lawmakers are portraying the violent crimes as a struggle for human rights and freedom, distorting Hong Kong police's strict law enforcement and efforts in fighting crimes and safeguarding social order as violent repression, threatening to push through a so-called Hong Kong human rights and democracy act in the U.S. Congress.
Their remarks constituted a gross violation of the spirit of the rule of law, a blatant double standard and a gross interference in China's internal affairs, You said.
Impunity of illegal activities would undermine the authority of law, and could destroy the rule of law, You said, noting that the rule of law must be relied on in safeguarding Hong Kong's social order and stability.
Hong Kong belongs to China, You stressed, noting that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs.
Maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong is the strong will of all Chinese people including 7.5 million Hong Kong residents, which will by no means be shaken by the very small group of violent protesters or altered by any interference of foreign forces, You said.