Beijing has warned the US that it will take “every necessary measure” to protect its interests, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday. The statement came after a top White House advisor warned that Washington might revoke Hong Kong’s special trading privileges if China enacts a tough new security law.

US national security advisor Robert O’Brien warned on Sunday that the new law could cost the city the preferential trading status it enjoys with the US.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said “what laws, how, and when Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) should legislate are entirely within the scope of China’s sovereignty,” AFP reports.

The US has “no right to criticize and interfere,” Beijing warned. “If the US insists on hurting China’s interests, China will have to take every necessary measure to counter and oppose this,” according to Lijian. Beijing had already made “stern representations to the US.”

Source: RT