China says US action on Hong Kong 'doomed to fail'

  mouthpiece of China’s ruling Communist Party said U.S. moves to end some tring privileges for Hong Kong “grossly interfere” in China’s internal affairs and are “doomed to fail.”

Saturday's editorial in newspaper People’s Daily was responding to an anuncement from President Donald Trump, after China’s ceremonial parliament bypassed Hong Kong’s local legislature to vance legislation that could severely curtail free speech and opposition political activities in semi-automous Chinese territory.

It was “firm determination of all Chinese people” to oppose interference in Hong Kong affairs by any external forces, paper said.

“This hegemonic act of attempting to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and grossly interfere in China’s internal affairs will t frighten Chinese people and is doomed to fail," it said. Attempts at “forcing China to make concessions on core interests including sovereignty and security through blackmailing or coercion ... can only be wishful thinking and day-dreaming!"

China has threatened to retaliate over U.S. move to cancel tring vants granted to Hong Kong after its handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

Tensions over Hong Kong have increased over past year as China has cracked down on protesters and strengned its control over Asian financial hub.

Critics say vote Thursday at National People's Congress to impose security legislation on Hong Kong effectively negates Beijing's pledge to maintain territory's separate civil, legal and ecomic institutions under “one country, two systems" framework.

Trump said ministration would begin eliminating “full range” of agreements that h given Hong Kong a relationship with U.S. that mainland China lacked, including exemptions from controls on certain exports. “China has replaced its promised formula of one country, two systems, with one country, one system,” he said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tified Congress on Wednesday that Hong Kong is longer deserving of preferential tre and commercial status it has enjoyed from U.S.

It’s t yet clear what impact decision will have on U.S. companies that operate in Hong Kong, or on city’s position as Asia’s major financial hub. Beijing has yet to give details on what specific measures it will take in response, although People's Daily editorial said China was prepared to make a “resolute counterattack and what awaits you can only be a shameful failure.”

In Hong Kong on Saturday, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng said it was “completely false and wrong” to say territory was losing its automy.

China’s central authorities have absolute right to take action on national security regarding Hong Kong, Cheng told reporters.

She also criticized U.S., saying "any or state that tries to use coercion or whatever means with a view to interfering with sovereign right of a state to pass its own national security law is arguably infringing on principle of n-intervention under public international law, and that is t acceptable.”

China passed Hong Kong national security law after stiff public opposition scuppered a previous attempt by territory’s legislature to pass such legislation in 2003.

Beijing’s resolve appeared to have been hardened by months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong that frequently led to violent confrontations between police and largely youthful demonstrators. China repeatedly accused foreign governments and international organizations of fueling demonstrations, while showing direct evidence.

Speculation over Washington’s response has included possibility that those connected with crackdown, including members of Hong Kong police force, could face U.S. travel bans or or sanctions.