China News Service, Beijing, December 15 (Reporter Liang Xiaohui) At a regular press conference on the 15th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin refuted British officials' claims that Hong Kong's National Security Law violated the "Sino-British Joint Declaration."
He pointed out that the British side is now interfering in Hong Kong affairs under the guise of so-called "democracy" and "freedom" and undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong. This is a common tactic used by colonists to manipulate double standards to add chaos and blockage to other countries.
A reporter asked questions. According to reports, British Foreign Secretary Raab claimed on the 14th that Hong Kong’s national security law violated the internationally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration and is currently being used to accuse Li Zhiying, highlighting China’s continuing attacks on people’s rights and freedoms.
The British side has filed the case with the Hong Kong SAR government and called on it to stop targeting Lebanon and other pan-democrats.
How does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respond to this?
Wang Wenbin pointed out that the Hong Kong SAR government has stated its position on the case.
"What I want to emphasize is that China is a country under the rule of law, and Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law. Everyone is equal before the law. No one has extra-legal privileges. There is only a distinction between abiding by the law and breaking the law, and there is no difference between political views."
He further pointed out that during the more than 150 years of British colonial rule over Hong Kong, successive Hong Kong governors were appointed by the British. Hong Kong does not have democracy, and Hong Kong people have never enjoyed real freedom.
When the British government ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1976, it clearly stated through reservations that the provisions of the Convention on regular elections do not apply in Hong Kong.
The "Public Security Ordinance" and "Society Ordinance" during the British Hong Kong era imposed strict restrictions on assemblies, processions, and associations.
The British are now interfering in Hong Kong affairs under the guise of "democracy" and "freedom" and undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong. This is a common tactic used by colonists to manipulate double standards to add chaos and blockage to other countries.
Wang Wenbin emphasized that only after the return of Hong Kong did Hong Kong residents enjoy unprecedented democratic rights and extensive freedoms.
The Chinese government governs Hong Kong on the basis of the Chinese Constitution and Hong Kong Basic Law, which has nothing to do with the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
The rights and obligations of this statement related to the United Kingdom have been fulfilled with the return of Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom has no supervisory power or so-called moral responsibility for Hong Kong.
Wang Wenbin emphasized that what the British side should do is to put aside its colonial mentality, abandon double standards, earnestly respect the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and judicial departments to perform their duties and handle cases in accordance with the law, respect the Hong Kong citizens’ desire to enjoy a stable social order and a normal life, and respect that Hong Kong is one of China. The facts of the Special Administrative Region respect the basic norm of international relations of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
(Finish)