Q: On July 28, 2022, the spokesperson of the EEAS said in a statement that the EU welcomes the release of the UN Human Rights Committee's concluding observations on the periodic review of Hong Kong under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The EU supports the Human Rights Committee's recommendations, such as repealing the National Security Law, and criticizes increasing infringement on civil and political rights in Hong Kong. What's your comment?

A: Certain members of the UN Human Rights Committee, being ideologically biased and oblivious to facts, chose to believe false information and narratives and thus made partial and unfair concluding observations. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson has made clear China’s position on it. It needs to be stressed that the relevant statement from the EU constitutes gross interference in Hong Kong affairs as well as China's internal affairs. The Chinese side expresses its strong disapproval of and firm opposition to it.

Over the past 25 years since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” has made notable progress, leading to a booming economy and comprehensive social progress in Hong Kong. Hong Kong residents have enjoyed their status as masters of the region and are able to enjoy unprecedented democratic rights and freedoms in accordance with the law.

It is the duty and responsibility of all governments to safeguard national security and national security legislation is a common practice, to which EU countries are no exception. China's enactment of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in accordance with the law is entirely constitutional, legitimate, justified and reasonable. Since the implementation of the National Security Law, Hong Kong society has returned to stability, the rule of law and justice has been upheld, and the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents better protected in a safer environment. These are undeniable facts.

Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs that allow no foreign interference. Any interference will not reverse the historical trend of Hong Kong’s transition from chaos to stability and prosperity. We urge the EU side to abide by international law and basic norms of international relations, reject double standards, view objectively the successful practice of “One Country, Two Systems” and the development of Hong Kong and immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs.