Q: On March 19, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on the adoption of the Safeguarding National Security Bill by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, expressing concern about this legislation’s potential impact on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. What’s your comment?
A: The statement of the EU side, in total disregard of facts, interferes in China’s internal affairs. China deplores and firmly opposes this.
The passage of the Safeguarding National Security Bill represents people’s common aspiration. The constitutional responsibility and historic mission of legislating for Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law have finally been fulfilled. The bill will provide stronger institutional safeguard for Hong Kong’s prosperity, stability, and long-term peace. The legislative process was rigorous and procedure-based. The definition of criminal elements is clear. The line between crime and non-crime is neatly drawn. According to the bill, law enforcement bodies, in exercising authority, must be subject to statutory conditions, strict procedures and judicial oversight. The bill is in alignment with international practices and rules. While targeting a very small number of offenders who endanger national security, it aims to fully protect the human rights and freedoms of the vast majority of people, contribute to Hong Kong residents’ well-being and rights and interests, and ensure the normal business transactions and international exchanges by foreign institutions, organizations, and personnel in Hong Kong. This higher-level guarantee for security will surely bring Hong Kong to a new stage of high-quality development and high-standard opening up, allowing it to achieve greater stability and prosperity at a faster pace.
Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs that allow no interference by any external forces. The Chinese government is determined in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and in fully and faithfully implementing the “one country, two systems” principle. We urge the EU side to abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, respect China’s sovereignty and Hong Kong’s rule of law, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are China’s internal affairs.