The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said in Beijing Friday that China firmly opposes a resolution passed by the US Senate on so-called "expression support for freedom in Hong Kong".

Commenting on the resolution introduced by US Senator Sam Brownback, Zhang said it neglects facts and makes irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs as a rude inference in China's internal and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) affairs.

The SAR residents have been enjoying unprecedented, real democratic rights and freedom since Hong Kong returned to the motherland, she said.

The democratic development in Hong Kong is being earnestly pushed forward in line with the Basic Law and towards the final goal set by the law, Zhang said.

She noted that all the Chinese, including Hong Kong compatriots, have enough wisdom and courage to develop Hong Kong in accordance with the "one country, two systems" principle and make the SAR more prosperous and democratic.

China's central government holds a staunch determination to implement "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, as well as the implementation of the Basic Law, she said.

The National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee's decision on electoral methods for the selection of Hong Kong's chief executive in 2007 and formation of the Legislative Council in 2008 was completely a performance of its official functions, Zhang Qiyue said.

The spokeswoman said China firmly opposes the US Senate's interference in affairs of China's HKSAR in a rude manner and will never accept the groundless censure from the US side.

China urges the US Senate to stop such a kind of behavior that interferes in China's internal affairs and hurts the feeling of the Chinese people, Zhang emphasized.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2004)