Q: On 23 November, the EEAS Spokesperson issued a statement, calling for “China to immediately and unconditionally release Zhang Zhan, a citizen journalist”. What is your comment?

A: China is a law-based country where laws must be observed and law-breakers brought to justice. Anyone who violates the law will be held accountable according to the law. At the same time, China protects the legal rights of every citizen in accordance with the law. China’s judicial authorities act in accordance with the law and no one has the right to interfere, denigrate or distort. China firmly opposes the EU’s interference in China’s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty in the name of freedom of expression.