China News Service, Brussels, July 1st (Reporter De Yongjian) A spokesman for the Chinese mission to the EU responded to the EU's declaration on Hong Kong's national security laws on July 1st, emphasizing three points to refute the EU declaration.
On the same day, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on the formulation and implementation of Hong Kong’s national security law, declaring that the relevant legislation lacks meaningful consultation and may seriously undermine Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, judicial independence, and the rule of law. Not infringed.
In response, a spokesman for the Chinese mission to the European Union stated that on June 30, China has stated its solemn position on the European leaders’ remarks concerning Hong Kong, and would like to emphasize the following three points regarding the EU’s statement on Hong Kong’s national security laws:
1. "One country, two systems" is China's national policy. No one cherishes "one country, two systems" more than we do, and no one hopes that "one country, two systems" will be stable and far-reaching. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China has formulated the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Maintenance of National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which is promulgated and implemented locally by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in order to plug the loopholes in Hong Kong’s national security and to correct the deviations that have occurred in Hong Kong for a while The chaos on the right track and even challenging the bottom line of "one country, two systems" is ultimately to uphold and improve "one country, two systems," not to change "one country, two systems." Since the EU has stated that Hong Kong’s interest in maintaining stability and prosperity under the principle of "one country, two systems" is of its own interest, it should deserve support from China.
2. In the process of drafting the law, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China has paid attention to listening to the views of all parties, especially those of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, including the Chief Executive and other officials, the President of the Legislative Council, the representatives of the National People's Congress of the Hong Kong District and members of the CPPCC at all levels, and Law, industry and commerce, finance, education, science and technology, culture, religion, youth, labor, etc., and representatives of social organizations and regional groups. Relevant departments of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and others have held 12 symposiums in Hong Kong in the recent period. Nearly 3 million people in Hong Kong have signed to support the legislation, and 1.5 million people have supported the online anti-external force intervention signing campaign initiated by various sectors. It fully reflects the common aspirations of the general public. The EU stated that the relevant legislation lacks meaningful consultation and is totally untenable.
3. Hong Kong’s National Security Law clearly stipulates in Article 4 of Chapter 1 “General Provisions” that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s national security should respect and guarantee human rights, and protect the residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region according to the law. According to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the “Civil Rights and Politics The International Covenant on Rights "International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights" applies to the relevant provisions of Hong Kong. The rights and freedoms including freedom of speech, press and publication, freedom of association, assembly, procession and demonstration are fully reflected. The relevant legislation puts respect and protection of human rights in a prominent position. It is recommended that the EU side study the relevant legal provisions carefully.
The spokesman finally reiterated that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and Hong Kong affairs belong to China's internal affairs. The EU side should earnestly abide by the basic laws of international law and international relations, immediately stop intervening in Hong Kong affairs, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs. (Finish)