At the regular press conference held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 19th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian answered questions from reporters on the “Five Eyes Alliance” statement on Hong Kong, China-Australia relations, and US documents on China.
Responding to the “Five Eyes Alliance” statement concerning Hong Kong: strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition
A reporter asked: The foreign ministers of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement requesting the Chinese government to reconsider its actions against Hong Kong legislators and immediately restore the relevant membership qualifications. How does China respond to this?
“The Chinese never cause trouble, nor are they afraid of trouble. Whether they have five eyes u2018 u2019 or ten eyes u2018 u2019, as long as they dare to harm China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, be careful of their eyes being blinded!” Zhao Lijian said .
“We express our strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the relevant countries for flagrant violations of international law and basic norms of international relations, and making irresponsible remarks about Hong Kong affairs that are China’s internal affairs.” Zhao Lijian said.
Zhao Lijian said that China has repeatedly stated its solemn position on relevant issues. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Hong Kong National Security Law, makes decisions on the qualifications of the legislative council members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This is an inevitable requirement for upholding and improving the “One Country, Two Systems” system. This is a necessary move for order, which is legal and reasonable, and should not be challenged.
“There is an English proverb called u2018 pudding is good, you only know u2019 when you eat it. There is a similar saying in China, u2018 shoes do not fit, you only know u2019 when you wear them. Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, Hong Kong has not had so-called so-called u2018 beautiful scenery line u2019, doesn’t this still explain the problem?” Zhao Lijian said.
He said that public officials must uphold their own constitutional laws and be loyal to the motherland, which is a basic political ethic in all countries in the world. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inseparable part of China. All the Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, are never allowed to promote or support the idea of ”Hong Kong independence”, refuse to recognize the state’s ownership and exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and seek foreign or foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and harm Hong Kong affairs. People of national security come to govern Hong Kong. It is only natural for those who love the country and Hong Kong to rule Hong Kong and those who oppose China to chaos Hong Kong out.
Zhao Lijian said that since the return of Hong Kong, the Chinese government has governed Hong Kong in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents have been fully protected in accordance with the law. This is an undeniable fact. Relevant countries should face up to the reality that Hong Kong has returned to China, abandon double standards, earnestly respect China’s sovereignty, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form. Any attempt to put pressure on China and undermine China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests will not succeed.
Again criticizing Australia’s wrong words and deeds: Australia should take China’s concerns seriously
When answering questions about China-Australia relations, Zhao Lijian said that China has repeatedly stated that Australia has repeatedly taken wrong words and deeds on issues involving China’s core interests and major concerns and provoked provocative and confrontational actions. The root cause of the current difficult situation in China-Australia relations. The Australian side should face up to the crux of the setback in bilateral relations, take China’s concerns seriously, and take concrete actions to correct wrongdoings.
“Mutual respect is the basic principle of handling state-to-state relations. We are firmly opposed to harming the interests of other countries under the banner of safeguarding our own national interests, and imposing our will on others under the pretext of safeguarding our own values.” Zhao Lijian said.
Refutes U.S. Documents Concerning China: Another Collection of Anti-China Lies
A reporter asked: The Policy Planning Office of the US State Department has released a document called “China Challenge Elements”, which lists ten tasks that the United States needs to complete to deal with China’s rise. What is China’s comment?
Zhao Lijian said that this document is yet another collection of anti-China lies concocted by some “living fossils of the Cold War” of the US State Department. It fully exposes the deep-rooted Cold War thinking and ideological prejudices of some people in the United States, and also exposes their fear of China’s continuous development and growth. Anxiety and unhealthy mentality. Their sinister plot to restart the Cold War is bound to be spurned by the Chinese people and peace-loving people in the world. They are doomed to fail and will eventually be swept into the garbage dump of history.
Responding to the US’s exaggeration of the so-called “China threat”: it actually creates an excuse for military expansion
A reporter asked: US Secretary of the Navy Braithwaite stated at the U.S. Naval Submarine Alliance roundtable seminar that he hopes to establish a new numbered fleet to be deployed at the junction of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, and that it is to counter China’s “military ambitions.” “The Seventh Fleet in Japan is not enough. How does China respond to this?
Zhao Lijian said that China has unswervingly followed the path of peaceful development and has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order. China’s development is the growth of the forces for world peace, an opportunity rather than a threat. Some people in the United States are accustomed to exaggerating the so-called “China threat.” In essence, they are creating excuses for the expansion of the US military and increasing military spending. The real intention is to seek regional and world hegemony.
Zhao Lijian said that what needs to be pointed out is that the United States has the world’s largest military expenditure and military bases all over the world. In the 240-year history of the founding of the nation, only 16 years have not fought a war, but the United States frequently accuses other countries of threats. What is the absurd logic? ! We urge the US to abandon the Cold War mentality and outdated concepts of zero-sum game, view China’s development objectively and rationally, and play a constructive role for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
