China News Agency, Beijing, June 8 (Huang Yuqin) In response to US Secretary of State Pompeo’s recent comments on Hong Kong, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said at a regular press conference on the 8th that the real concern of individual US politicians is not Hong Kong The freedom of the people is the "freedom" that they do whatever they want to undermine China's national security.
A reporter asked questions that the United States, Britain and other countries have responded strongly to the national security legislation involving Hong Kong. US Secretary of State Pompeo told the media a few days ago that the Communist Party of China refused to grant the freedom promised to the people of Hong Kong, in violation of the agreement promised with the United Kingdom. What is China's comment?
"Recently, some foreign politicians have made various remarks on Hong Kong-related national security legislation, but I don’t know if they have read the "Sino-British Joint Declaration" before commenting? The specific terms and contents of the Joint Statement?" Hua Chunying responded.
She pointed out that the "Sino-British Joint Statement" is an important document between China and Britain on China's recovery of Hong Kong and related transitional arrangements, with a total of 8 texts and 3 annexes. Article 1 stipulates that China shall resume exercising sovereignty over Hong Kong, and Article 2 stipulates that the United Kingdom shall return Hong Kong to China. After the return of Hong Kong, these two rules have been fulfilled at the same time. Article 3 and Annex I are about China’s principle elaboration and specific explanation of Hong Kong’s basic principles and policies, and are China’s policy declarations. Articles 4 to 6 and Annexes II and III stipulate the relevant arrangements of the two countries during the transition period of the return. Articles 7 and 8 are provisions on implementation and entry into force. The provisions related to the British side have been fulfilled with the return of Hong Kong and the completion of various follow-up work. The implementation of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong, including the legal basis for China's formulation of national security legislation related to Hong Kong, is the Chinese Constitution and Basic Law, not the "Sino-British Joint Declaration."
"Pompeo said that China refused to give the people of Hong Kong freedom. Can we ask him to answer: During the British colonial rule of Hong Kong for 156 years, did Hong Kong have democratic freedom? Which of the 28 Hong Kong Governors was elected by the people of Hong Kong At that time, did Hong Kong people have the freedom to protest on the streets? During the British colonial rule of Hong Kong, the British "Treason Law" also applied to Hong Kong." Hua Chunying said.
Hua Chunying said that the National People's Congress on Hong Kong-related national security legislation is aimed at splitting the country, subverting state power, organizing terrorist activities, and foreign and foreign forces interfering in Hong Kong affairs. It is aimed at a very small number of people who seriously harm The act of national security will not only affect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the majority of Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law, but will enable the legal rights and freedoms of the majority of Hong Kong residents to be better exercised in a safe environment. Therefore, law-abiding Hong Kong citizens and foreign investors have no need to worry at all. I believe you have also seen that in the short period of 8 days after the announcement of the relevant legislative decision, nearly 3 million Hong Kong people have jointly signed a bill to support national security legislation. In the past few days, some well-known foreign-funded enterprises, such as HSBC, Jardine, Swire and Standard Chartered, have all expressed support for the relevant legislative decisions. According to a survey by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, more than 61% of companies believe that they will benefit from national security legislation in the long run or have no impact on their future operations in Hong Kong. The Hang Seng Index rebounded for 5 consecutive days. These are all votes of confidence in Hong Kong-related national security legislation and "one country, two systems" in the future.
She said that as to why the individual politicians in the United States reacted so strongly, the reason was actually very simple, because what they really cared about was not the freedom of the people of Hong Kong, but the “freedom” they wanted to undermine China’s national security. Pompeo once said that the value of Hong Kong is that it is a "fortress of liberty" that can affect China. This phrase has leaked "heaven", which is the true idea deep in his heart.
Hua Chunying further emphasized that maintaining national security belongs to the central authority in any country. Hong Kong-related national security legislation is to fulfill the powers and responsibilities of maintaining national security in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the Basic Law of Hong Kong. It is to apply "security patches" to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, secure fences, close loopholes in national security, and effectively safeguard China's national security. Those who do not intend to engage in division, subversion, terrorist activities, or undermine China's national security need not have any worries at all, and there is no need to react excessively. China resolutely opposes any external forces attempting to interfere in Hong Kong affairs. (Finish)