BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official has expressed the Chinese side's firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the recent passage of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 by the U.S. Congress.

Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, made the statement in an interview with Xinhua.

The U.S. Congress passed the so-called act in disregard of repeated and stern representations and firm opposition from the Chinese side, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs and seriously violating international law and basic norms governing international relations, said Yang.

China has stated its solemn position to the U.S. side over the matter.

Yang stressed that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs that brook no interference from any external force. China is firmly determined in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing the "one country, two systems" principle, and opposing any external interference in Hong Kong affairs, he said.

"The relevant act of the U.S. Congress has seriously harmed China's interests and undermined Hong Kong's prosperity and stability," said Yang, who insisted that Hong Kong's most pressing task at hand is to bring the violence and chaos to an end and restore order.

Yang urged the U.S. side to grasp the situation, take immediate actions to prevent the act from becoming law, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs, including Hong Kong affairs.

Any U.S. plot to use Hong Kong to interfere in China's internal affairs or impede China's development will be in vain, Yang said, adding that Hong Kong is certain to maintain long-term prosperity and stability under the strong support of the motherland.