Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 29, 2020
CCTV reporter: According to reports, the United States claims that Hong Kong ’s national security legislation impairs Hong Kong ’s high degree of autonomy and freedom, which is related to international peace and security, and requests the Security Council to hold a video conference on this. What is China's comment?
The US approach is completely unreasonable. Regarding Hong Kong's national security legislation, China's attitude and position have been clearly stated. I would like to emphasize once again that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and a local administrative region directly under the Central People ’s Government of China. The establishment and improvement of the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security at the national level is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to ensure that the "one country, two systems" policy is stable and far-reaching. This issue is purely China's internal affairs, and no foreign country has the right to interfere.
Everyone knows that the responsibility of the Security Council is to maintain international peace and security. The issue of Hong Kong ’s national security legislation simply does not fall within the scope of the Security Council. Non-interference in internal affairs is an important principle of the Charter of the United Nations and a basic principle of international relations. The United States demands that the Security Council discuss Hong Kong-related issues, openly interfere in China ’s internal affairs, and wantonly undermine the basic norms of international relations. The Chinese side naturally and firmly opposes their attempts. The Security Council is not a tool that the United States can manipulate at will. China and internationally presiding over justice will not allow the United States to kidnap the Security Council for its own political purposes.
Just and comfortable, everyone in China and the United States is adhering to multilateralism, who is supporting the United Nations, and who is a responsible member of the United Nations. We urge the US to stop such unnecessary political manipulation immediately and do something useful for the international community.
Hong Kong China Press Agency reporter: According to reports, on May 27, US Secretary of State Pompeo issued a statement saying that China imposed national security legislation on Hong Kong, weakening Hong Kong ’s autonomy and freedom, and confirmed to the US Council that Hong Kong should no longer enjoy 1997 The treatment granted by US law before July 2014. What is China's comment?
The decision of the National People's Congress of China to establish and perfect the legal system and enforcement mechanism for the maintenance of national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is entirely within China's internal affairs and no foreign country has the right to interfere. Pompeo also tweeted that he was standing with the people of Hong Kong. He was putting gold on his face! He is standing with those "Hong Kong independence" elements and violent elements! Pompeo's remarks completely violated the basic norms of international relations and seriously interfered in China's internal affairs. China expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition.
National security is a basic prerequisite for the survival and development of a country. Hong Kong ’s national security legislation punishes a very small number of “Hong Kong independence” elements and violent elements that seriously endanger national security, and protects the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong ’s citizens. No country will allow activities that endanger national security, such as splitting the country, on its own territory. The Chinese government's determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests is unswerving, the determination to implement the "one country, two systems" policy, and the determination to oppose any external forces to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs is unswerving.
We urge the US to correct its mistakes immediately, stop interfering in China ’s internal affairs, and refrain from going further and further on the wrong path. Any action that undermines or obstructs the National People's Congress on Hong Kong-related national security legislation is a trifling matter and is doomed to failure.
China Daily reporter: On the 28th, the foreign ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada issued a joint statement saying that the National People's Congress of China passed the Hong Kong-related national security legislation to violate the international obligations stipulated in the principles of the "Sino-British Joint Statement" and damage the "one country, two systems" framework. What is China's comment?
As I said just now, the National People's Congress of China made a decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security. It is entirely within China's internal affairs, and no foreign country has the right to interfere. Relevant countries have made rash remarks and accusations of this, and grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, and has made solemn representations to the relevant countries.
In any country in the world, whether it is a unitary system or a federal system, national security legislation belongs to the national legislative power. Maintaining national security has always been the central authority, which is true in any country. Looking at the world, no country is allowed to engage in actions that endanger national security such as splitting the country on its own territory.
With China's resumption 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. 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." The countries concerned have no legal basis and no qualification to invoke the "Sino-British Joint Statement" to make irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs.
Hong Kong is Hong Kong in China. No one is more concerned about the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the fundamental well-being of Hong Kong residents than the central government. No one is more determined than the central government to fully and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy and basic law. We urge the countries concerned to respect China ’s sovereignty, abide by international laws and basic norms of international relations, exercise caution and cautious actions, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China ’s internal affairs in any way, and do more things that are conducive to Hong Kong ’s prosperity and stability and the development of bilateral relations.
China News Agency reporter: On May 28th, Beijing time, US Secretary of State Pompeo issued a statement announcing that the United States will end sanctions exemptions for nuclear projects such as the Arak Heavy Water Reactor and other nuclear projects in Iraq after 60 days. What's China's comment?
The comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue is a multilateral agreement approved by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231. It is an important part of the international nuclear non-proliferation system and is essential to maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East. The arrangement of nuclear projects in the comprehensive agreement reflects the balance between Iran ’s non-proliferation obligations and the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, and embodies the purposes and principles of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Complying with and implementing relevant arrangements is in the common interest of all parties and is also the common responsibility of all parties.
The United States stubbornly insisted on putting pressure on Iran's limit, not only unilaterally withdrawing from the comprehensive agreement, in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions, but also stepping up to prevent other parties from implementing the agreement. The United States ’cancellation of sanctions and exemptions for related nuclear projects undermines the international non-proliferation process and the international community ’s efforts to maintain comprehensive agreements, reflecting its consistent unilateralism and hegemonic conduct. China firmly opposes it.
The reconstruction of the Arak heavy water reactor is an important part of the comprehensive agreement and a common project of all parties to the agreement. China will work with all parties to continue to uphold the comprehensive agreement and safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
TASS reporter: US President Trump said he will hold a press conference on the 29th local time, at which he may announce measures taken against China by the National Security Legislation of the National People's Congress of China. What is China's comment? Regarding the measures that the US may announce, will China take countermeasures?
What measures will the US take? You should ask the US.
The decision of the National People's Congress of China to establish and perfect the legal system and enforcement mechanism for the maintenance of national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is entirely within China's internal affairs and no foreign country has the right to interfere. We will take necessary measures to resolutely counteract the wrong actions of external forces interfering in Hong Kong affairs.
For more than 20 years since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, it has made full use of the important advantages of relying on the mainland and facing the world. Its international financial, shipping and trade center position has been increasingly consolidated, and it is also an important area for investment and operation of the US business community. The United States has 85,000 citizens in Hong Kong, more than 1,300 companies, nearly 300 regional headquarters and more than 400 regional offices. Almost all major U.S. financial companies operate in Hong Kong. The U.S. trade surplus with Hong Kong has reached 297 billion in the past 10 years. The US dollar ranks first among US global trading partners. A safe, stable and prosperous Hong Kong is in the interest of the United States.
We welcome all parties in the United States to continue to develop and achieve greater success in Hong Kong. The United States has important interests in Hong Kong. We urge the United States to recognize the situation and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. If the US side insists on harming China's interests, China will take all necessary measures to resolutely fight back.
Agence France-Presse reporter: According to reports, sources said that the Trump administration is considering cancelling visas for thousands of Chinese graduate students. What is China's comment?
American leaders have repeatedly expressed welcome to Chinese students studying in the United States. When the two heads of state spoke on March 27, American leaders once again said: "The American people have great respect and love for the Chinese people. Chinese students are very important to the US education. The US will protect Chinese citizens in the United States, including Chinese students." Does the US intend to eat up words?
For a period of time, a series of negative errors and deeds adopted by the United States in the field of humanities exchanges between China and the United States have completely run counter to the concept of openness and freedom that the United States has self-proclaimed. Humanistic exchanges and personnel exchanges have caused serious negative effects, severely damaged the social foundation of relations between the two countries, and exposed the deep-rooted Cold War zero-sum thinking of some people in the United States. People can't help but ask, is the infamous "McCarthyism" in American history resurgence?
If the U.S. government blatantly takes measures that harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students studying in the United States, it will be naked political persecution and racial discrimination, which will seriously violate the human rights of Chinese students studying abroad. We urge the US side to strictly abide by the relevant commitments of US leaders and immediately stop using various excuses to unreasonably restrict and suppress Chinese students studying in the United States. We support Chinese students studying abroad to protect their legitimate rights and interests according to law.
Reporter from China National Radio: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this morning that the Chinese government sent a team of anti-epidemic medical experts to Sudan. Can you introduce the specific situation? In what ways will the expert group help Sudan fight the epidemic?
At the request of the Sudanese side, a 20-member Chinese anti-epidemic medical expert team arrived in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, on May 28 to assist the Soviet side in fighting the epidemic. The expert group plans to stay in Sudan for 15 days, during which it will exchange anti-epidemic experience with the Sudanese Ministry of Health's Emergency Committee, Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF and other international organizations' offices in Suu National health laboratory and training of local medical staff in Sudan. The expert group will also guide the Chinese-Sudanese medical team to carry out anti-epidemic work locally, and provide guidance on epidemic prevention and control to Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese and foreign students in the Soviet Union. China's dispatch of an anti-epidemic medical expert group to Sudan is a manifestation of China's active participation in international anti-epidemic cooperation and the practice of building a community of human destiny. Only through solidarity and cooperation can the international community finally overcome the epidemic.
Shenzhen Satellite TV reporter: Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives Plenary considered and passed the "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act." What is China's comment?
The relevant bills of the US Congress accused China of Xinjiang ’s human rights situation and China ’s policy of territorial governance, unscrupulously discredited China ’s counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures, and seriously interfered in China ’s internal affairs.
The Xinjiang-related issue is not a question of human rights, ethnicity, or religion, but an issue of anti-terrorism and anti-secession. A series of measures taken by the Chinese government to govern Xinjiang have been generally supported by people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and have also been positively evaluated by the international community. The US side made an essay on the Xinjiang-related issue, completely violating objective facts and seriously violating basic norms of international relations, further exposing its double standards on the issue of counter-terrorism and its sinister intentions to interfere in China's internal affairs.
Xinjiang's affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and no foreign interference is allowed. We urge the US to correct its mistakes immediately, stop using Xinjiang-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, and refrain from going further and further on the wrong path.
TASS reporter: US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday that the US is willing to mediate on issues related to the China-India border. What is China's comment?
China ’s position on the border issue is consistent and clear. It has always seriously implemented the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strictly abided by the relevant agreements signed by the two countries, and is committed to safeguarding the national sovereignty and security of the country and maintaining peace in the border area between China and India. stable. At present, the situation in the border area between China and India is generally stable and controllable. China and India have perfect border-related mechanisms and communication channels. Both sides have the ability to properly resolve the problems between the two countries through dialogue and consultation without the need for third-party intervention.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun: This year's two sessions of the Nationwide Congress have closed. Is there any progress in the Chinese leaders' plan to visit Japan?
China is willing to maintain communication with Japan on bilateral relations and related major issues, and hopes that Japan will create a good environment and atmosphere for this.
Globe and Mail reporter: On the 27th, a Canadian court ruled that the Meng Wanzhou incident involved "dual crimes", which turned out to be unfavorable to Meng. What is China's comment? Will it take countermeasures against Canada?
On May 27 local time, the British Columbia High Court of Canada ruled on the so-called "dual crime" issue of the Meng Wanzhou incident, arguing that the United States' extradition request against Meng Wanzhou met the "dual crime" principle. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, and has made solemn representations to Canada in this regard.
The United States and Canada abuse the bilateral extradition treaty and take arbitrary and compulsory measures against Chinese citizens, seriously infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens. The purpose of the US is to suppress Chinese high-tech enterprises and Huawei. Canada played the role of an accomplice to the US. This was a serious political event.
The Chinese government is determined to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens and enterprises. We once again urge Canada to take China ’s solemn position and concerns seriously and immediately release Ms. Meng Wanzhou and let her return to China safely, not to go further and further on the wrong path.
British "Financial Times" reporter: The British side said that it will provide more residence rights for Hong Kong residents holding British Overseas Citizens Passports (BNO). What is China's comment?
China has stated its position on the legislation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security on many occasions. I would like to reiterate that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and no outside interference is allowed. The Chinese government's determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests is unswerving, its determination to implement the policy of "one country, two systems," and its determination to oppose any external forces' interference in Hong Kong affairs is unswerving.
Regarding the issue of British National (Overseas) passports, the British side exchanged memorandums with China and made a clear commitment not to grant Hong Kong Chinese citizens holding British National (Overseas) passports the right of abode in the UK. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China clearly stated in the "Interpretation of Several Issues Concerning the Implementation of the" Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China "in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" that all Chinese compatriots in Hong Kong, regardless of whether they hold a "British Territory Citizens Passport" or "British "National (overseas) passports" are all Chinese citizens.
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. We firmly oppose this and reserve the right to take corresponding measures. China hopes that the British side will treat the Hong Kong SAR ’s national security legislation objectively and impartially, respect China ’s position and concerns, do not interfere in Hong Kong affairs in any way, and do more things that are conducive to Hong Kong ’s prosperity and stability and the development of Sino-British relations.
BBC reporter: If the British side grants more rights to Hong Kong residents holding British overseas citizen passports, will China take countermeasures? Does China believe that the British move violates the "Sino-British Joint Statement"?
I have made my position very clear just now, and China reserves the right to take corresponding measures.
TASS reporter: According to reports, the US Department of Justice on the 28th accused the relevant North Korean and Chinese citizens of violating US sanctions related to North Korea. What is China's comment?
China opposes the US ’s implementation of “long arm jurisdiction” over Chinese entities and individuals in accordance with domestic law. Don't stretch your hand too long, be careful of being cut off.
Globe and Mail reporter: There are comments that after Meng Wanzhou was detained in Canada, China took a series of actions, including the arrest of two Canadian citizens, the sentence of two Canadian citizens to death, and the imposition of restrictions on Canadian agricultural products exported to China. , But Meng is still not released. Does China think the actions taken against Canada are effective?
Regarding the cases of two Canadian citizens, Kang Mingkai and Michael, China has stated its position on many occasions that they are suspected of engaging in activities that endanger China's national security. The Chinese judiciary independently handles the case in accordance with the law and guarantees the legal rights of Canadian citizens. Regarding the drug trafficking cases of Schellenberg and Fanwei, I would like to point out that drug crime is a serious crime recognized in the world, and the society is extremely harmful, and all countries have been severely cracked down.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada. The development of the relationship between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations shows that a healthy and stable development of China-Canada relations is in the common interests of the two countries and the two peoples. The key is that the two sides should treat each other with respect and equality. It is hoped that the Canadian side will make a correct political decision as soon as possible, take measures as soon as possible to remove obstacles to the development of China-Canada relations, and push China-Canada relations back on track with practical actions.
BBC reporter: Still about Hong Kong. Some people in Hong Kong are concerned about the relevant national security legislation of Hong Kong and think that their rights and freedoms may be damaged. At the same time, they are not sure which actions are not illegal before the decision is passed, but they are illegal after the decision is passed. Do you have any comment on this, can you give an example?
The claim that the decision will damage the basic rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents is unfounded. I would like to reiterate that 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 the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents have been fully guaranteed according to law. This is a fact recognized by the international community. The relevant decisions adopted by the National People ’s Congress at this time are aimed only at those acts of splitting the country, subverting state power, organizing terrorist activities, and the actions and activities of foreign and foreign forces interfering in the affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This right and freedom will instead enable the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents to be better exercised in a safe environment.
Reuters reporter: According to reports, the South Korean Ministry of Defense and the US military stationed in South Korea delivered a batch of equipment and building materials to the South Korean "Sade" anti-missile system base. What is China's comment?
We have taken note of relevant reports. China firmly opposes the US deployment of the "Sade" system in South Korea. This position is consistent and clear. China and South Korea have a clear consensus on handling relevant issues in stages. We hope that the ROK will strictly abide by the consensus of both sides, properly handle the "Sade" issue, and maintain the development of China-ROK relations and regional peace and stability. We urge the United States not to do anything that harms China ’s interests and interferes with China-ROK relations.
Reporter from the Financial Times: It is understood that the consul generals of Australia and New Zealand in Hong Kong have waited for months for obtaining Chinese consent, but they have not yet obtained a visa to Hong Kong. Can China explain the reason?
I don't know the situation and need to know.