Photo taken on July 1, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square after a flag-raising ceremony held by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in Hong Kong. (Photo: Xinhua)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's future is inextricably linked with the motherland under the "one country, two systems" principle, the central government's liaison office in the special administrative region said on Monday, as it expressed support for the Foreign Ministry's decision to sanction 11 US politicians and public figures in retaliation.

The US Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on 11 incumbent and former Chinese officials, including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, on Friday in what it called a move to show the United States "stands with the people of Hong Kong".

Decrying this claim as hypocritical and ridiculous, a spokesperson for the liaison office stressed the recent events have proved that the US wants Hong Kong to be as chaotic as possible and to profit from it.

For the US, Hong Kong is "a beautiful sight to behold" only if it is mired in chronic social unrest like Ukraine, Iraq, and Syria, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson called on the public to review its stance on external interference in Hong Kong affairs. Although Hong Kong is a highly international city, it should not take a vague stance on matters concerning national interests, which brook no ambiguity, the spokesperson said.

China's fast development has provided strong support and a broad arena for the SAR to thrive, the spokesperson added.

By leveraging the advantages of the "one country, two systems" principle and national strategies such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong will recover from the pandemic and prosper with the nation, the spokesperson said.

The office also voiced support for China's sanctions against 11 US politicians and organization heads with "egregious behavior" on issues concerning the Hong Kong SAR, including senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz.

The spokesperson said China's sanctions are proportionate to the US move, and stressed that China will never yield on matters concerning sovereignty, security and development interests.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR government said in a Monday statement that the sanctions against the US figures are necessary to safeguard the interests of the nation.

The SAR government fully supports the move and will facilitate its enforcement in accordance with the law, the statement read.