China will not be intimidated by US attempts to obstruct it from advancing national security legislation for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday.

Zhao added China will take necessary countermeasures in response to sanctions the US announced on Monday.

The US is halting defense exports to Hong Kong and restricting Hong Kong's access to its high-technology products.

The legislation is purely China's domestic affair, in which no other country has the right to interfere, Zhao reiterated, adding the Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development.

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