China News Agency, London, June 3rd: The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the UK answered the reporter's question on the 3rd, saying that the British Foreign Secretary Rab issued a statement in the British Parliament and once again made irresponsible remarks on the Hong Kong SAR's legislation to safeguard national security and openly interfered in Hong Kong China's affairs and China's internal affairs, China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this.

  The spokesperson reiterated the following four points: First of all, Hong Kong affairs must not allow any foreign interference. Non-interference in internal affairs is the basic principle of modern international law and the basic norm of international relations, and all countries in the world should abide by it. Since July 1, 1997, Hong Kong returned to China and became a special administrative region of China. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s national security legislation is purely China’s internal affairs, and no foreign country has the right to interfere.

  Second, maintaining national security is the central authority of all countries in the world. National security legislation belongs to national legislative power, and this is true of all countries. The Central Government of China authorized Article 23 of the Basic Law to authorize some of the legislative powers of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to maintain national security. It does not change the attributes of national security legislation that belong to the central authority, nor does it lose its due responsibilities and powers in maintaining national security. In the 23 years since the return of Hong Kong, the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law has not been completed, and it has been seriously stigmatized and demonized. As a result, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is actually in a state of "non-defense" in maintaining national security. In the situation where the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region faces a severe situation in safeguarding national security and cannot complete the national security legislation on its own, the National People’s Congress, as the highest organ of state power, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Basic Law, legislatively plugs the risk loopholes in Hong Kong’s national security. And responsibility.

  Third, safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is conducive to implementing "one country, two systems" and safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents. Since the return of Hong Kong, the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy have been effectively implemented, and Hong Kong residents have enjoyed unprecedented rights and freedoms. The Chinese government will unswervingly and comprehensively and accurately implement the policies of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. "One country, two systems" is a whole, and "one country" is the premise and foundation for the implementation of "two systems". "Two systems" is subordinate and derived from "one country" and unified within "one country". The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s national security legislation is precisely for defending “one country” and protecting “two systems”. It is to grasp the correct direction of “one country, two systems”, improve the systems and mechanisms related to the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and ensure the implementation of “one country, two systems”. Steady. At the same time, any right to freedom is not absolute, and must be exercised within the scope prescribed by law. The legislation targets very few acts that seriously endanger China’s national security, and will only enable Hong Kong residents’ legal rights and freedoms to be better exercised in a safe environment.

  Fourth, the so-called "violation of the "Sino-British Joint Declaration"" is purely a false proposition. The Chinese and British governments signed the "Sino-British Joint Statement" in December 1984, the purpose of which was to resolve the issue of the return of Hong Kong. After Hong Kong returned to China on July 1, 1997, the rights and obligations related to Britain in the "Joint Statement" have been fulfilled. No country has the right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs under the pretext of the "Joint Statement", otherwise it would violate the principles of international law that respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity and do not interfere with each other’s internal affairs. Regarding the issue of "British National (Overseas) Passport" (BNO), the British side had exchanged memorandums with China, expressly promising not to grant Hong Kong Chinese citizens holding BNO passports the right of abode in the UK. If the British side insists on unilaterally changing the relevant practices, it will not only violate its own position and commitment, but also violate the basic principles of international law and international relations.

  The spokesman said that he urged the British side to recognize the fact that Hong Kong has returned to China, abide by the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. Otherwise, it will definitely throw a stone to its feet. (Finish)