【新唐人北京時間2019年07月31日訊】週二，美國國務院發言人，針對香港最近的局勢，以及中共官方指控外國勢力，答覆新唐人記者書面提問。

這位發言人表示：我們敦促各方保持克制，避免暴力。香港政府必須尊重《中英聯合聲明》所保障的言論和集會自由，中國也應尊重香港的高度自治。

香港目前的示威遊行反映了香港人的訴求及其對香港自治權受到侵蝕的廣泛而合理的擔憂。

根據《中英聯合聲明》和香港人的願望，美國長期以來一直支持香港的民主。言論自由和結社自由是我們與香港共同的核心價值，必須全力保護這些自由。

對於將外國勢力指控為抗議活動背後的策劃者，我們絕不承認。數百萬人被操縱著去捍衛自由開放的社會，這不可信。

香港的自治持續受到侵蝕，正影響著香港一直以來在國際社會中的特殊地位。

英文全文

We urge all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from violence. It is important for the Hong Kong Government to respect the freedoms of speech and assembly, as guaranteed by the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and for China to respect Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy.

The ongoing demonstrations in Hong Kong reflect the sentiment of Hongkongers and their broad and legitimate concerns about the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy.

The United States has long supported democracy in Hong Kong in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the aspirations of the Hong Kong people. Freedom of expression and freedom of association are core values that we share with Hong Kong; these freedoms must be vigorously protected.

We categorically reject the charge of foreign forces as being behind the protests. It is not credible to think millions of people are being manipulated to stand for a free and open society.

The continued erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy puts at risk its long-established special status in international affairs.