China News Service, Beijing, January 8 (Li Jingze) At a regular press conference on the 8th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying spent nearly nine minutes answering reporters’ questions, explaining in detail the differences between what happened in the United States and Hong Kong.
Hua Chunying, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A reporter asked that the European Union called for the immediate release of those arrested in Hong Kong. It hopes that the Hong Kong authorities will respect human rights and respect the principle of "one country, two systems" and "a high degree of autonomy."
What is China's comment?
"First of all, I would like to say that you mentioned that some people made unreasonable comments on the legitimate law enforcement actions of the Hong Kong police. This is a serious interference in China's sovereignty and internal affairs. China is firmly opposed." Hua Chunying responded that the Hong Kong police arrested a group of suspected violations of Hong Kong in accordance with the law. Activists who commit the crime of subverting state power by the National Security Law are by no means the so-called "exercise the legal right to participate in political and public life."
The Hong Kong National Security Law has clear definitions of crimes that threaten national security, and protects the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant provisions of the two international human rights conventions applicable to Hong Kong.
Hua Chunying said that we have repeatedly emphasized that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs and no external interference is allowed. They have no right to demand that China release criminals arrested by China in accordance with the law.
"I would also like to say a few more words about this matter. In the United States and Hong Kong, there are similar scenarios and similar slogans. Why do some people react differently? Why do the same protesters in the United States become thugs when they arrive in Hong Kong? Is the hero of democracy? Why is it defending democracy and freedom in the United States and suppressing democracy and freedom in Hong Kong? Is there absolute freedom?" Hua Chunying asked.
She mentioned that the White House spokesperson said in a television statement this morning that the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the freedom of peaceful assembly, but what we saw in Washington yesterday was not peaceful assembly. They violated the rights of the First Amendment, and he said The strongest terms condemn violent acts, and those who violate the law should be punished the most severely.
Some social media have also taken restrictive measures against US leaders.
"This shows that even in the United States there are limits to freedom of speech, and the abuse of so-called'freedom' will cost a heavy price. Why should Hong Kong accept what is unacceptable in the United States? Why must Hong Kong be required for freedom that is not allowed in the United States Allowed?" Hua Chunying said, the facts of what happened in Hong Kong are clear.
She said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the police also introduced the relevant situation in detail and clarified their position, and the Hong Kong media also conducted a large number of detailed reports.
The actions of the relevant personnel are suspected of violating the National Security Law, and their purpose is to subvert the SAR government and endanger national security.
Behavior has nothing to do with democracy and freedom. There is a clear line between different political opinions and attempts to seriously undermine the government's performance of its functions in accordance with the law. Any country under the rule of law and a society under the rule of law will not allow it.
As for rights, Hua Chunying asked, what rights and freedoms did Hong Kong people have during the British rule over Hong Kong?
When the British government ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1976, it clearly pointed out by way of reservation that the regular elections stipulated in the convention were not applicable in Hong Kong, and the regulations on public security and associations also imposed strict regulations on assemblies, processions and associations. limits.
It was after the return of Hong Kong to the motherland that a democratic system was truly established and developed.
The Chinese government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government have made tremendous efforts to promote the democratic development of Hong Kong in accordance with the Hong Kong Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. No one is allowed to deny or discredit it.
"I noticed that some individual media also said that what happened in Hong Kong should not be compared with what happened in the US Congress. They are different. If you have to say something different, I think there are at least two differences." Hua Chunying pointed out.
The first happened in Hong Kong. The thugs who attacked the Hong Kong Legislative Council in July 2019 beat and destroyed the legislature, chased and killed innocent people, and attacked the police with petrol bombs and daggers. Such crimes are more serious than those who climbed into Congress in the United States. The external wall rushing into the parliament is even more serious and worse. It should be defined as thugs, insurgents, terrorists, and should be severely punished by the law.
Second, what happened in the U.S. Congress was organized by the Americans themselves, and Hong Kong was planned, organized, commanded, and implemented by external forces. Some people in the U.S. played an extremely disgraceful role.
"Such a double standard behavior reflects the superiority and ideological prejudice of some people," she said.
"When it comes to the question of how to define democracy and freedom, you may have heard of it in China. The Chinese people have a saying that "Golden Cup and Silver Cup are not as good as word of mouth". Whether the people of a country have democracy and freedom depends on the people. Are dissatisfied, whether they have gained a sense of happiness, security, and gain, are all members of society or a very small number of people truly enjoying freedom and development." Hua Chunying pointed out that with some international scholars, the US government is now 1% and depends on 1% is different from 1%. The Chinese government represents, reflects, and safeguards the interests of the vast majority of people. It is committed to ensuring the life value and dignity of everyone. Our democracy is widely true and effective.
She said that since the founding of New China, the basic freedom of the Chinese people's survival and development has been effectively guaranteed, the people's political, economic and cultural rights have also made significant progress, and the people's cause of freedom has achieved a historic leap.
Not to mention that we have successfully lifted 850 million people out of poverty. According to international scholars, the Chinese people have experienced the fastest improvement in living standards in the past 3000 years.
"Before the outbreak, every year 120 million Chinese left China freely to travel around the world, and then returned to China happily and freely. If China is really like what individual politicians or media say The Chinese people are oppressed and do not have freedom. Why do they return to China happily? International polls have pointed out for years that the satisfaction and support rate enjoyed by the Chinese government exceeds 90%. Doesn’t this explain the problem? Is it?" Hua Chunying said.
She said that on issues such as China's democracy and freedom, those who make all kinds of accusations against China either simply don't understand the situation in China, or they are too proud of themselves.
We hope that relevant people can work hard to put down their body and understand the real China.
We are willing to introduce them to the real situation in China, and at the same time we firmly oppose their interference in China's internal affairs in the name of so-called democracy and freedom.
(Finish)