China opposes U.S. House passing of Hong Kong legislation

China expresses strong indignation and firm opposition to the U.S. House of Representatives' passing of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday at a press briefing.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson speaks at a regular press conference on October 15, 2019. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

"The current situation in Hong Kong has nothing to do with human rights or democracy. The real issue is to promptly end violence, restore order and safeguard the rule of law. The U.S. House of Representatives is disregarding and distorting facts by referring to serious criminal offenses such as arson, smashing of shops and violence against police officers as an issue of human rights and democracy. That is a stark double standard," said Geng Shuang.

Geng reiterated that the U.S. move "exposed the shocking hypocrisy of some in the US on human rights and democracy and their malicious intention to undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability to contain China's development."

China will take strong countermeasures in response to the wrong decisions by the U.S. side to defend China's sovereignty, security and development interests, added Geng.

(Story includes material sourced from Xinhua and Chinese Foreign Ministry.)