China News Service, Beijing, June 3 (Li Jingze, Zhang Su) said that the British side said that "national security legislation involving Hong Kong is an autocratic legislation." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on June 3 that the Chinese side He expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, and has made solemn representations to the British side.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian
British Foreign Secretary Rab told parliament on the 2nd that the British side has always respected the "Sino-British Joint Declaration", and that China's authoritarian national security legislation has destroyed "one country, two systems" and has a direct conflict with China's international obligations. If China intervenes in Hong Kong’s political and autonomous foundation, it may pose a long-term threat to Hong Kong’s economic model and prosperity. China will have time to think about it again and retreat. A reporter asked China for any comments.
Zhao Lijian said that the decision of the National People's Congress of China to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security is entirely within China's internal affairs, and no foreign country has the right to interfere. The British side commented arrogantly, accused it arbitrarily, and grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. China expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this. "We have made solemn representations to the British side," he said.
Zhao Lijian pointed out that maintaining national security is the basic prerequisite for a country's survival and development, and is the core and most basic element of national sovereignty. The core of the Sino-British negotiations and the signing of the joint statement is that China resumes the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and enacting national security legislation in Hong Kong is the proper meaning of China’s exercise of sovereignty. The "China-UK Joint Statement" on the basic policy towards Hong Kong is a unilateral declaration of China's policy, not China's commitment to the UK, nor the so-called international obligations. After the return of Hong Kong, the legal basis for the Chinese government to govern the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of Hong Kong, not the "Sino-British Joint Declaration."
He said that as China resumed its exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, all rights and obligations related to the British side stipulated in the "Sino-British Joint Statement" have been fulfilled. He said that there is no word in the "Sino-British Joint Declaration", and any clause grants the United Kingdom any responsibility for Hong Kong after its return. Britain has no sovereignty, governance or supervision over Hong Kong after the return. Therefore, the British side has no right to use the "Sino-British Joint Statement" to make irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs and interfere in China's internal affairs.
He further pointed out that the relevant national security legislation in Hong Kong is a necessary measure to safeguard national sovereignty, reunification and territorial integrity, and to establish the foundation of "one country, two systems" in order to better implement "one country, two systems." Only when national security is guaranteed can "one country, two systems" be guaranteed, and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability can be guaranteed. The legislation targets very few acts and activities that seriously endanger national security. It does not affect the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong, the rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents, and the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors in Hong Kong. It is conducive to the better implementation of "one country, two systems" "The policy is conducive to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. The threat to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability is precisely that some external forces have joined forces with Hong Kong's anti-China chaotic Hong Kong forces, and have used their abilities to engage in activities that endanger China's national security.
Zhao Lijian said that the historical link between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong stems from the aggressive colonial and unequal treaties. The British side also misrepresented Hong Kong’s national security legislation as “authoritarian” legislation. The term “authoritarianism” is the true portrayal of the British colonial rule that the British once imposed on Hong Kong . It is precisely since the return of Hong Kong that Hong Kong residents have enjoyed unprecedented rights and freedoms.
"We would rather advise the British side to retreat from the cliff, abandon the Cold War mentality and colonial mentality, and recognize and respect the fact that Hong Kong has returned, which is a special administrative region of China. Abide by the basic principles of international law and international relations and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs immediately, Will definitely lift a stone and hit his feet." He said. (Finish)