China legislature blasts US Congress over Hong Kong

Beijing, Oct 18 (AP) China's ceremonial legislature is attacking legislation in the US Congress to support pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. A spokesman for the National People's Congress says the legislation "violates the basic norms of international law and international relations" and "grossly interferes in China's domestic politics."

The spokesman, Zang Tiewei, is the latest Chinese official to criticise the legislation passed this week by the US House of Representatives. One of the bills would require annual reviews by the US secretary of state of Hong Kong's special economic and trade status, providing a check on Beijing's influence over the territory.

China's foreign ministry has threatened to take unspecified countermeasures if the measures are passed in the Senate. Zang said Friday that a potential Chinese legislative response depended on the bills' progress. (AP) RUP