China warns U.S. it will retaliate on moves over Hong Kong

China has said that U.S. attempts to harm Chinese interests will be met with firm countermeasures, criticizing Washington's decision to end special treatment of Hong Kong.

Joe Davies reports.

On Monday (June 1), a warning from China's foreign ministry about Donald Trump's decision to begin ending America's special treatment for Hong Kong.

"No foreign country has any right to interfere, nor should they interfere (in Hong Kong).

The Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and developmental interests, to implement the principle of one country two systems, and to oppose illegal interference in Hong Kong affairs by any foreign force.

The arbitrary interference by the United States in Hong Kong's national security legislation is totally contrary to international law and the basic norms of international relations, and it is doomed to fail." The latest diplomatic spat between the two countries follows last week's vote by China's parliament to move forward with imposing national security legislation on Hong Kong.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday (May 29) it was a tragedy for the people of the city and violated China's promise to protect its autonomy.

Trump ordered his administration to begin the process of eliminating special U.S. treatment for Hong Kong to punish China, ranging from extradition treatment to export controls.

But China's foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, wasn't holding back on Monday, and warned Trump that he's damaging relations between the two countries.

There was a further dig at Trump.

At the same news conference, China also accused the U.S. of being "addicted to quitting groups and and scrapping treaties" following its decision to leave the World Health Organization.

Trump had accused the U.N.

Agency of becoming a puppet of China.