Photo shows the building of the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in HKSAR on March. 21, 2017. (Photo: Xinhua)

 
In response to certain US senators proposing a bill that seeks to include judges and prosecutors from Hong Kong's Department of Justice on a sanctions list, threatening to sanction officials of the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, the spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, calling it a blatant act of coercion and bullying.

The spokesperson stated that under the protection of the national security law for Hong Kong, social order in the HKSAR has been well-maintained, the rule of law upheld, justice served, and the lawful rights of citizens better safeguarded. Judicial and prosecutorial personnel in the HKSAR handle cases independently and impartially in accordance with the law, exercising their statutory powers and following due legal procedures, and their work must not be interfered with or smeared.

The "Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act", introduced to the US Senate this week, could lead to a mandatory review on whether to impose sanctions on 45 people under American law, according to South China Morning Post.

The spokesperson stated that some US politicians have openly trampled on legal justice, attempting to threaten and intimidate officials of the central government as well as judicial and prosecution personnel, by brandishing the threat of sanctions. The spokesperson accused these politicians of brutally interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. Such move seriously violates the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and is a blatant act of coercion and bullying.

The spokesperson stressed that China's determination to fully and accurately implement the One Country, Two Systems principal is unwavering, as is its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. "We urge certain US politicians to recognize the unstoppable historical trend of Hong Kong's transition from stability to prosperity, immediately abandon their political manipulation of playing the 'bill card,' and cease any form of interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal matters. Otherwise, they will inevitably pay a heavy price," the spokesperson said.

Global Times