China says it has resolutely opposed new measures passed by the U.S. House of Representatives related to Hong Kong protests and urged lawmakers to stop interfering.

Foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang said in a statement in Beijing that China’s relationship with United States will be damaged should the legislation become law.

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, one of the measures passed by the House, would require the U.S. secretary of state to certify each year that Hong Kong retained its autonomy in order to receive special treatment as a major financial center.

NNR/Khokhar