Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks

2020-05-29 14:00

China Daily: Statement from the foreign ministers of the UK, Australia, Canada and the US said that the NPC's decision to adopt the national security law on Hong Kong lies in direct conflict with China's international obligations under the principles of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and would undermine the "one country, two systems" framework. What is your comment?

Zhao Lijian: As I said, the NPC's decision to establish and improve a legal system and enforcement mechanisms on upholding national security for the HKSAR is China's internal affair that allows no external interference. The unwarranted comments and accusations made by the relevant countries constitute a flagrant interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. China deplores and firmly opposes that and has made stern representations with the relevant countries.

In all countries, unitary and federal alike, only the State legislature has the legislative power on issues concerning national security. The Central Government is responsible for upholding national security in China, as is the case in any other country. I don't think you can find one country that will allow activities endangering national security to take place on its territory.

As China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the rights and obligations of the British side under the Sino-British Joint Declaration were completely fulfilled. And the Chinese government started administering it, in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, not the Joint Declaration. The relevant countries have no legal basis or any right to cite the Joint Declaration to point fingers at Hong Kong affairs.

Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong. No one cares more about Hong Kong's prosperity and development and Hong Kong residents' welfare than the Central Government. No one is more determined than the Central Government to fully and faithfully implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law. We urge the relevant countries to respect China's sovereignty, abide by international law and basic norms for international relations, be discreet with their words and deeds, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and do more to promote Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and their bilateral relations with China.