The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has been exercising a high degree of autonomy and “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” in strict accordance with the Basic Law since its return to the Motherland, the Government says.

This demonstrates the full and successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, which has been widely recognised by the international community, it added.

The Government issued the statement today in response to a report by the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

Saying the Basic Law clearly stipulates the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, the statement said Hong Kong independence is a blatant violation of the Basic Law and a direct affront to the national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the PRC.

“Hong Kong's independence runs counter to the successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle and undermines the HKSAR’s constitutional and legal foundations as enshrined in the Basic Law.“

The statement also noted the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to freedom of speech, which is protected by the Basic Law.

It also pointed out that both the relevant international human rights convention and court cases state clearly freedom of speech is not absolute.

The HKSAR Government has repeatedly stated there is no room for discussing Hong Kong's independence, the statement added.

On other issues mentioned in the US report, including the Legislative Council By-election in March, an election petition lodged against the 2016 Legislative Council General Election results, and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link co-location arrangement, the HKSAR Government reiterates it has been handling Hong Kong affairs strictly in accordance with “one country, two systems”, the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong.

“There is no question of 'political screening' as alleged by the report,” the Government said.

It expressed regret over the biased conclusions and unfounded accusations made in the report, emphasising that foreign legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.