The successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle has been widely recognised by the international community.

The Government issued the statement tonight in response to the Hong Kong Policy Act Report issued by the US Department of State.

The statement said: "Since the return to the Motherland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has been exercising a high degree of autonomy and 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' in strict accordance with the Basic Law.

"This demonstrates the full and successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle has been widely recognised by the international community.

"Foreign governments should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR."