China on Saturday expressed opposition to foreign interference on Hong Kong's political development after the top US diplomat to Hong Kong made some "irresponsible remarks'' a few days earlier.

"It must be pointed out that the issue of Hong Kong political development is China's internal affairs, '' said a spokesperson from the Office of the Commissioner at China's foreign ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), "and we firmly oppose any foreign interference on this issue.''Last Thursday, US Consul General James R. Keith in his speech at an AmCham/Asia Society Luncheon implied that the United States encouraged Hong Kong to redefine its political structure.

The spokesperson said that since Hong Kong's return to China, the central government has unswervingly implemented the policy of "one country, two systems'', "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong,'' as well as a high degree of autonomy. It has also firmly supported the SAR government in its administration under the law while striving to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

"The central government is highly concerned with the political development of Hong Kong SAR and has a clear standpoint on this issue. Hong Kong's political structure shall develop in the light of the actual situation of Hong Kong, and follow the principle of gradual and orderly progress in accordance with the Basic Law,'' she said.

"'The long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong is not only beneficial to all the Chinese people, including the Hong Kong compatriots, but also in the interests of all investors from foreign countries, including the United States,'' added the spokesperson.

"The US Government has repeatedly expressed its willingness to support the Chinese Government in the implementation of 'one country, two systems' in Hong Kong. We hope that the US consular officials in Hong Kong could do something that is really favourable to Hong Kong's stability,'' said the spokesperson.

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