Q: It is reported that the US House of
Representatives passed a resolution on June 26th on the
issue of legislation according to Article 23 of the Basic
Law of Hong Kong and called on the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to withdraw the
legislation. Whats your comment on
it?
A: China firmly opposes such a
move by the US House of Representatives that interferes in
the internal affairs of both China and the Hong Kong SAR of
China.
To prohibit criminal acts harming
national security and unity through legislation is a common
practice in criminal legislation in all countries, including
the United States. It is only natural that the Hong Kong
SAR, as an administrative region of the Peoples
Republic of China, enacts laws on its own to safeguard
national security in line with the Basic Law. It is also
necessary for the implementation the Basic Law. While
examining the draft ordinance concerning national security,
the Hong Kong SAR Legislative Council has widely solicited
public opinion in an in-depth manner .The draft ordinance,
whose aim is to safeguard national security and unity,
upholds the principle of safeguarding Hong Kong residents'
rights and freedoms stipulated by the Basic Law. It conforms
to the provisions on Hong Kong of the two international
covenants of human rights. The ordinance enjoys wide support
from all walks of life in Hong Kong and is well represented.
The US House of Representatives has no justification for
making irresponsible comments on the Article 23 legislation.
It is a futile attempt.
We again urge the US
side to respect the facts and to refrain from words or
deeds, which constitute an interference in China's and Hong
Kong SARs internal affairs, which could harm Sino-US
relations and its own image.
|