The SAR government on Tuesday said it strongly disapproved of and rejected what it called “untruthful remarks, slanders and smears” against various aspects of the HKSAR in the UK's six-monthly report on Hong Kong.

A government spokesperson pointed out that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of China, and, as a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, comes directly under the jurisdiction of the Central People's Government.

"The UK once again made skewed remarks about Hong Kong by replacing the rule of law with political manipulation and confounding right and wrong, and blatantly interfering in Hong Kong affairs which are entirely China's internal affairs," the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson reiterated that the SAR government resolutely safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to the highest principle of “One Country, Two Systems”.

The SAR government urged the UK to immediately stop actions that are inconsistent with international law and basic norms of international relations, and to immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson pointed out that the content of the British report on Hong Kong's improved electoral system and last year's district council elections are completely untrue. He stressed that in Hong Kong, people of any background can participate in elections in accordance with the law as long as they meet the necessary requirements and are patriots.