HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has been exercising "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law since Hong Kong returned to the motherland, a spokesman for the HKSAR government said on Friday.

This demonstrates the full and successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, which has been widely recognized by the international community, he noted.

The spokesman made the remarks in response to a report issued by the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China on Thursday.

"Foreign legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR," the spokesman said.

The Basic Law of the HKSAR specifies the guidelines of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy.

The previous economic and social systems of Hong Kong and the way of life have remained unchanged, and most laws continue to apply.

The Basic Law ensures the HKSAR has a high degree of autonomy and enjoys executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication.

World Bank data show that Hong Kong's indicator of the rule of law, a core value of Hong Kong society, has jumped from behind 60th in the world in 1996 to the 11th place in 2015, well ahead of some major Western economies.

Hong Kong has gained 3.2 percent of economic growth on average each year since 1997, quite remarkable for an economy which was essentially already developed 20 years ago.

Hong Kong remained the freest economy in the latest report on world economic freedom by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian think tank.

Of the five broad areas of assessment, Hong Kong continued to attain a high ranking in regulation and freedom to trade internationally in the report issued in September.

HKSAR Chief Executive Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the continuous development and prosperity of the motherland not only gives Hong Kong strength to rise to challenges, but also provides opportunities for Hong Kong to explore new directions for its development.

"As long as we capitalize on our strengths, stay focused, seize the opportunities before us and stand united, I am sure that Hong Kong can reach even greater heights," she said Sunday at the National Day reception in celebration of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.