The first session of the 14th National People's Congress held a press conference in the press conference hall of the Great Hall of the People on March 4. The spokesperson of the session answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on the agenda of the session and issues related to the work of the NPC.
Channel NewsAsia:
Last year, China's National People's Congress announced the draft Foreign Relations Law, which includes countermeasures and restrictive measures that China can take when necessary.
Given the external challenges China faces, including those involving the United States, what do the above measures mean for China's foreign policy?
Will Chinese diplomacy become increasingly aggressive?
Wang Chao:
Out of self-interest, some countries have frequently abused the extraterritorial application of domestic laws in ways that do not conform to international law, and wantonly suppressed foreign entities and individuals.
This practice and bullying behavior have been widely criticized by the international community as "long-arm jurisdiction".
China has always firmly opposed this practice.
In response to those actions of unreasonably suppressing and containing China and grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, China has issued the "Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China", "Measures for Blocking Inappropriate Extraterritorial Application of Foreign Laws and Measures", and "Regulations on the List of Unreliable Entities" to counteract them.
As the basic law in foreign-related fields, the Foreign Relations Law needs to make principled provisions on countermeasures and restrictive measures.
China's core interests cannot be damaged, and its sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot be violated.
It is legitimate and necessary for us to formulate relevant provisions in the law and take resolute countermeasures against acts that harm China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, and that infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.
In the new journey of building a socialist modern country in an all-round way, China's determination and will to implement reform and opening up is unswerving.
The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee attach great importance to the rule of law in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and also attach great importance to the rule of law in expanding opening up.
China has always abided by the basic principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations, insisted on maintaining world peace, promoting common development, committed to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and developed friendly cooperation with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
(According to the text of the webcast)