Q: On March 19, the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR unanimously voted in favour of the passage of the Safeguarding National Security Bill. The US, the UK, Japan, the EU and other parties pointed fingers at this. What’s the Foreign Ministry’s comment?
Spokesperson: We strongly deplore and firmly oppose individual countries and organizations’ slandering and smear against the Safeguarding National Security Bill of Hong Kong.
The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR unanimously voted in favour of the passage of the Safeguarding National Security Bill, which further implements the SAR’s constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security, further cements the security foundation for Hong Kong’s development and serves as a landmark in advancing the cause of One Country, Two Systems on our new journey in the new era.
Security is the prerequisite for development, and the rule of law is the cornerstone of prosperity. The Safeguarding National Security Bill of Hong Kong strikes a balance between safeguarding national security and upholding rights, freedom and economic development, and fully draws on other countries’ legislation experience in the same field. The bill helps the SAR to further coordinate between development and security, better harness Hong Kong’s unique status and advantage, and deepen closer and more open exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and countries and regions in the world.
With high-level security guarantee, we are fully confident in Hong Kong achieving high-quality development and high-standard opening up and we are fully confident in the sound implementation of One Country, Two Systems in the long run and Hong Kong’s stability and thriving development!
I want to stress that the Chinese government has unwavering resolve in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests, in implementing One Country, Two Systems and in opposing any external interference in Hong Kong’s affairs. Any attacks and smears against the Safeguarding National Security Bill will not have their way and are doomed to failure.
Q: Just now an Australian official has told AFP the Australian Foreign Minister told the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the reforms in Hong Kong, including the new National Security Law passed yesterday, erode human rights in Hong Kong. Does the Chinese Foreign Ministry have any immediate reaction to this?
Spokesperson: I just clearly stated China’s position. I want to stress again that Hong Kong’s Safeguarding National Security Bill upholds the fundamental principle of respecting and protecting human rights and protects in accordance with the law the rights and freedoms which the residents of Hong Kong enjoy under the Basic Law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong.