The national security legislation for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is part of China's internal affairs, while attempts by the United States to obstruct the process through so-called "sanctions" will never succeed, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.
Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press briefing in response to a statement made by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who threatens to end exports of U.S.-origin defense equipment to China.
On Hong Kong's national security legislation, the Chinese side has made clear its solemn position on many occasions, Zhao said, reiterating that it is China's internal affairs and no foreign country has any right to interfere.
The Chinese government is determined in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, in implementing the "one country, two systems" principle, and in opposing external forces' interference in Hong Kong affairs, the spokesperson said.
"Intimidation does not work on China. The United States wants to wield the so-called sanctions to obstruct China's legislation process to safeguard national security in Hong Kong. Such attempts will never succeed," he said.
As regards the wrong moves by the U.S. side, China will take necessary retaliatory measures to resolutely safeguard its national interests, Zhao added.
