HONG KONG: China's top representative office in Hong Kong condemned what it called gross interference by the United States in the Asian financial hub, labelling President Donald Trump's move to end the city's special status as "gangster logic and bullying".
In a strongly worded statement released late on Wednesday (Jul 15), the Hong Kong Liaison Office said the sanctions would not have a substantial impact on the special administrative region and rather damage the United States' own interests.
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"Unreasonable meddling and shameless threats by the United States are typical gangster logic and bullying behaviour," the statement said.
"No external force can block China's determination and confidence to maintain national sovereignty and security for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability."
The security law imposed by Beijing punishes what China broadly defines as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.
Critics of the law fear it will crush the wide-ranging freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997, while supporters say it will bring stability to the city after a year of sometimes violent anti-government protests.
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READ: Hong Kong academics fear for freedom under new security law
The Chinese government said it had a sovereign duty and legitimate right to maintain national security in Hong Kong and end the "chaos" caused by often violent protests last year.
In response to the law, Trump on Tuesday
channel news asia
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