China News Service, June 2 (Xinhua) According to the website of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom responded to reporters' questions about the letter sent to the British Prime Minister Johnson by seven former British foreign ministers. The spokesman pointed out that the former British Foreign Secretary Rifkind and six other former Foreign Ministers jointly sent a letter to Prime Minister Johnson, pointing the finger at the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s national security legislation. This is gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this.
A reporter asked: A few days ago, seven former British foreign ministers such as Rifkind, Hunter and Haig sent a letter to Prime Minister Johnson, expressing concern about the situation in Hong Kong, calling on the G7 summit to mention Hong Kong-related issues and establishing a similar to the last century. The International Liaison Group dealing with Yugoslavia in the 1990s oversaw Hong Kong affairs. What comment does the Chinese Embassy have?
The spokesman said that former British Foreign Secretary Rifkind and six other former foreign ministers jointly sent a letter to Prime Minister Johnson, pointing finger at the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's national security legislation. This is gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this. China would like to reiterate:
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 legislation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security is purely China's internal affairs. No foreign country has the right to intervene. It is delusional delusion that China swallows the bitter fruit of foreign interference. Any country or organization that interferes in China’s internal affairs in any way will surely fight back.
Secondly, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s national security legislation belongs to the national legislative power and central authority. The national security legislation of each country belongs to the central authority, as is the case in the United Kingdom and China. The Central Government of China, through Article 23 of the Basic Law, authorizes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to maintain some of its legislative powers to maintain national security, and therefore does not lose its due responsibilities and powers in maintaining national security. Since the return of Hong Kong, Article 23 legislation has not been completed, and it has been severely stigmatized and demonized, which has caused the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to be "undefended" in maintaining national security.
In particular, since the "Rectification Law", Hong Kong's anti-China chaotic Hong Kong forces have joined forces with external forces to engage in activities that undermine national reunification and split the country, seriously endangering China's national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Under such circumstances, the National People's Congress of China, as the highest organ of power in the country, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Basic Law, legislatively plugs the risk loopholes in Hong Kong's national security. This is where the power and responsibility lies. In fact, the international community fully understands and supports this. Russia, Serbia, Cambodia, Pakistan, North Korea, Vietnam, the African Union and other countries and international organizations all support relevant Chinese legislation.
Third, the so-called "violation of the "Sino-British Joint Statement"" is a purely 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. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and there is no such thing as "violation of the "Sino-British Joint Statement"" in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's national security legislation. 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. It should also be pointed out that regarding the issue of "British National (Overseas) Passports" (BNO), the British side has exchanged memorandums with China, expressly promising not to grant Hong Kong Chinese citizens holding BNO passports the right of abode in Britain. 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.
Fourth, the maintenance of 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 enjoy 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 SAR safeguards national security legislation precisely grasps the correct direction of "one country, two systems", improves the systems and mechanisms related to the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law in the Hong Kong SAR, and ensures the stability of "one country, two systems". This will ensure Hong Kong residents better enjoy and exercise their legal rights and freedoms, and make Hong Kong safer, better and more prosperous.
The spokesman emphasized that China urges relevant British politicians to recognize the fact that Hong Kong has returned to China, effectively abide by the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs by any means and means, and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs.