Beijing vows to ‘resolutely counter-attack’ any US visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials over Article 23 domestic national security law

“[The United States] confused right and wrong, as well as seriously interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs,” he said at a press briefing in Beijing.

Blinken’s comments were part of an annual report submitted to the US Congress as part of the country’s Hong Kong Policy Act, which was enacted in 1992. The act gives Washington discretion to treat the city separately from mainland China in areas such as trade and economic engagement.

Spokesman Wang added that the US had “also seriously violated the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations”.

“If the US imposes visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials, China will resolutely counter-attack,” he warned.

Wang said the report smeared the city’s national security laws and electoral system, as well as its “democracy, rule of law, human rights and freedoms”.

He urged the US to understand the “one country, two systems” governing principle, adding that Washington should respect China’s sovereignty and Hong Kong’s rule of law.

Blinken on Friday last week said the new domestic national security law had “broad and vaguely defined provisions regarding ‘sedition’, ‘state secrets’, and interactions with foreign entities”, which he claimed could be used to eliminate dissent inside and outside the city as part of what he called China’s “ongoing campaign of transnational repression”.

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In a report published that day, the US State Department said Beijing had taken “new actions that directly threaten US interests in Hong Kong” and Americans living in the city faced “heightened risk of arrest, detention, expulsion or prosecution” if they publicly criticised China.

The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect on March 23, fulfilling Hong Kong’s obligations under Article 23 of the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

Hong Kong authorities earlier also condemned the US for “untruthful remarks, slanders and smears”, as well as its “political attacks”.

On Monday, pro-Beijing representatives staged a protest outside the US consulate to oppose the potential visa restrictions.