Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin hosted a regular press conference on April 3.
A reporter asked: According to the US side, during yesterday’s phone call between the Chinese and US presidents, President Biden mentioned the Second Thomas Shoal, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet issues. The United States also urges China to stop supporting Russia and play a greater role in the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. What is China’s response to this?
In this regard, Wang Wenbin said that China emphasized to the United States that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters. This sovereignty covers the islands, reefs, beaches and sands in the archipelago, including Ren'ai Reef. The root cause of the Second Thomas Shoal issue is that the Philippines has gone back on its word many times and attempted to build permanent outposts on China's uninhabited islands and reefs in order to achieve permanent illegal occupation of the Second Thomas Shoal. The United States is not a party to the South China Sea issue and should not intervene in issues between China and the Philippines. China has strong will and determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
China has made it clear that Hong Kong belongs to China and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. Completing the legislation of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law is the constitutional responsibility of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security. It is conducive to protecting the fundamental well-being of all Hong Kong residents and the interests of investors from all over the world in Hong Kong. It will not detract from Hong Kong residents in any way. rights and freedoms enjoyed by law. The United States should respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and must not interfere, let alone interfere.
China emphasizes that Xinjiang and Tibet issues are China's internal affairs. Human rights are not the exclusive property of any country. China attaches great importance to the protection of human rights. Regarding human rights in a country, the people of each country have the most say. China is willing to communicate with the United States on human rights issues on the premise of mutual respect, but firmly opposes interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. (Making Yue Ziyan)
Editor in charge: [Luo Pan]