Lawmakers take part in the third reading of amendments to Hong Kong's electoral laws at the Legislative Council (LegCo), in Hong Kong, South China, May 27, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua)

China's Foreign Ministry on Friday expressed discontent over US criticism on Hong Kong’s electoral rules overhaul and urged the US to stop meddling in its internal affairs.

Hong Kong's legislature passed amendments to electoral laws on Thursday, while US State Secretary Antony Blinken claimed the move will block Hong Kong from “meaningfully participating in their own governance”.

Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said Blinken’s statement has defamed the local legislature’s efforts to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system, which China strongly opposed.

The amendments will fix flaws in its electoral system and are expected to ensure the steady development of Hong Kong’s democratic system and long-term prosperity and stability, added Zhao.

Blinken’s remarks ignored basic facts and made groundless accusations against China’s central government and Hong Kong authorities. The US is attempting to interfere in Hong Kong politics and in China's internal affairs rather than allegedly caring for Hong Kong's democracy and the rights of Hong Kong people, said Zhao.

Zhao emphasized that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and Hong Kong affairs, including the reform of the electoral system, are purely China's internal affairs. The US should respect the basic norms of international relations and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs.

(Compiled by Yang Jiaqi)