Beijing, 9 Sep (Zhongxin Net) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning presided over a regular news conference on 20 September. At the meeting, a reporter raised a question about the British Government's release of the "semi-annual report on the Hong Kong issue."
Mao Ning: The British so-called report repeats the same old rhetoric, distorts the facts, grossly interferes in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and seriously violates the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations.
Hong Kong's development achievements are beyond doubt. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong has achieved universally recognized success. Hong Kong actively integrates into the overall development of the country and continues to play an important role as a bridge and window between Chinese mainland and the rest of the world. Hong Kong's economy is booming, and its position as an international financial, shipping and trade center is solid; The constitutional order is operating steadily, national security is safeguarded, "patriots administering Hong Kong" has been implemented, and the prospects for democratic development are bright.
The Sino-British Joint Declaration cannot be abused. The core essence of the joint statement is that China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and the British side will have no sovereignty, no governing power or no right to supervise Hong Kong after the handover. The initiative to govern Hong Kong according to law cannot be ignored. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and the legal basis for the Chinese government's governance of the HKSAR is the Chinese Constitution and the Hong Kong Basic Law. The enactment and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system have effectively promoted Hong Kong to realize the transition from chaos to governance, and enter a new stage of rule and rejuvenation. The Hong Kong SAR's lawful handling of persons suspected of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law is a just move to safeguard the rule of law in Hong Kong and a necessary move to safeguard national sovereignty and security.
We warn the British side that any external intervention will not shake the Chinese government's firm determination to fully and accurately implement the principle of "one country, two systems", and any trick to destabilize Hong Kong will never succeed. (End)